Musharraf made decision with an eye on summit: Benazir

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 21. The former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party, Mrs. Benazir Bhutto, has criticised the decision of Gen. Pervez Musharraf to appoint himself the President of Pakistan and said that he has done it only with an eye on his coming summit meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee.

In a statement here she said that Gen. Musharraf made no secret of his ambition to become the President and his move was expected. However, he proclaimed himself President earlier than expected because of the proposed summit.

She contended that when Mr. Vajpayee came to Pakistan, the service chiefs, including Gen. Musharraf, refused to greet him as they would have had to salute him. By becoming President, protocol changes would no longer require Gen. Musharraf to salute Mr. Vajpayee when he met him.

``The dissolution of the Assemblies shows that Gen. Musharraf lost confidence that the Parliament would elect him or give him the vast powers he desires to invest the office with. Gen. Musharraf has benefited himself by the self-proclamation and many will see this as an abuse of office for self-benefit. However, the nation, its Constitution and democratic aspirations have all lost. The professionalism of the Pakistan Army will also be affected by combining the two offices of President and Army chief in one person,'' she said.

The statement said the previous military President (Zia-ul-Haq) left behind him the ``drugs and guns culture in his bid to divide and rule''. Another President before him (Ayub Khan) disintegrated the country. She said that the precedents ``augured ill''.

Ms. Bhutto said Gen. Musharraf's move was another dark chapter in Pakistan's history. He still remained unelected and unrepresentative and thereby an ``illegitimate holder of the office''.

Each act of his would be subject to validation by the future Parliament. Gen. Musharraf lacked political support and unless he could muster it, he would be forced to do what his predecessors did: hold a ``rigged referendum or force the local councillors to vote for him'', she said.

``Each one of these acts will further contribute to political instability in a country where there is a growing threat by militant groups. Gen. Musharraf would like to see a powerful President which is at odds with the dreams of Pakistan's founder. Quaid-e-Azam envisaged Pakistan as a federal, democratic and parliamentary state. A strong presidency will fuel discontent in the southern provinces of Sindh and Baluchistan and perhaps also the Frontier region. That in turn can create the conditions for the pro-Taliban forces to exploit,'' the statement said.

Ms. Bhutto said Pakistan faced serious issues and some believed that a dictator could better handle those. However, she said did not agree with the thesis. Pakistan's major achievements came under civilian governments enjoying the support of the people.

``The sacking of the unpopular President Tarar and the controversially-elected Assemblies by Gen. Musharraf paved the way for him to declare himself President. But the assumption of the Presidency through unconstitutional means is a potentially explosive measure. Pakistan has taken one more step towards instability and away from democracy. Ultimately, the people, led by the political parties will decide the future course of the country's history,'' the statement said.

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