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PML vows to 'block' military takeovers

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD Sept. 22. The Pakistan Muslim League, led by the former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, in its election manifesto has vowed to "block" military takeovers through constitutional amendments even as the Pakistan People's Party, led by another Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, petitioned the European Union to restrain the military regime from "rigging" the October elections.

The PML faction of Mr. Sharif, considered a creation of the Pakistan Army, has come down heavily on repeated "military interventions" and promised to rid the nation of the `devastating policies" of the military regimes and tragedies like that of December 16, 1971. The reference is to the dismemberment of the country and the birth of Bangladesh. The "revolutionary" changes proposed in the Constitution by the Muslim League and its strident attack on the Army is hardly expected to inject any enthusiasm into what is dubbed as the dullest election in Pakistan history. There is hardly any poll atmosphere anywhere with voting scheduled in less than three weeks.

The PML has said that military law will be amended to restore "obedience of lawful command and the military's honour and respect as an institution". The defence budget barring classified items will be debated in Parliament.

The manifesto has hinted at reversing the changes brought in by the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, to the suspended 1973 Constitution. The party has pledged to make parliamentary institutions effective, accountable and responsive to the people and restore the "supremacy of the Constitution and Parliament".

This is the position of all the parties that are part of the 15-party Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD). There is every chance of a confrontation between Gen. Musharraf and the mainstream political parties after the elections.

Though Gen. Musharraf had taken the view that there was no need for parliamentary approval to the statute amendments he had made, most of the political parties have differed with him.

Reflecting the new bond between the archrivals — Mr. Sharif and Ms. Bhutto — the Muslim League has promised a "new political order of consultation" with the Opposition and committed itself to the idea of a caretaker government before every general election.

The party has said that the President on the advice of the Prime Minister would appoint service chiefs and the task of Military Intelligence would be confined to security and counter-terrorism. Under the amended Constitution by Gen. Musharraf, it is the prerogative of the President to appoint service chiefs as well as the Joints Chiefs of Staff Committee.

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