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Yours,
Muslim Affairs Section
Answer
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Name
Latif
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Profession
Question
The constitution mentions that the president cannot be a military person, what do you think. And why the supreme court dismissed the petition against musharraf bid to be re-elected?
Is the Supreme court against the constitution?
Answer
In fact, it's law that a military person cannot be a president in Pakistan, but in this case, pres Musharraf has taken over power in October 1999 and has named himself as CEO, Chief Executive Officer of the army instead of Marshal Law Administrator.
The president Rafiq Tariq, during Nawaz Sharif's days, was allowed to continue as president of Pakistan, and it was a new type of Marshal in law president. The country was under the control of the army chief, who was not a Marshal law Administrator. Subsequently, while Musharrf was going to India he re-designated himself as president of Pakistan and Rafiq Tariq was removed. Under the 17 amendments in the constitution, president Musharraf was allowed by the parliament to hold two offices, one as a president, the other as a chief of the army staff till December 2007.
Name
Aliaa
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Profession
Question
Salams.
Is it morally accepted for Mushsrraf to be re-elected as president while he promised in 2004 on TV that he would shed his the military uniform? thanks.
Answer
Actually it's Musharraf who can answer this question if it's morally good for him or not. But generally speaking, now his lawyer has gave an statement announcing that president Perfez Musharraf will shed his army uniform as soon as he is re-elected as president by the existing assembly. So, Musharraf is ready to give up his military uniform just after being re-elected.
Name
Editor
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Profession
Question
How is it logically right for the national assembly that will leave in two months to pick up a president that will stay in power for the coming five years?
Isn't it the right of the new assembly members to elect the new president? What do you think?
Answer
This is a debatable point so far. Some people argue that if the assembly having five years life can elect a senator for a six-year term, so why not the president for the next five-year term.
Another argument is that if during the term of the assembly something happens to the president, will the assembly nor re-elect another president at any time during its term. So this argument is in support of electing a president twice by the same assembly.
Name
Khan Abdul-haq
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Profession
Question
Do you think the new nominated judge for presidency, Mr. Wajeehudin, will represent a real challenge to Musharraf in this presidential election?
Answer
No, I don't think this new nominee represents any challenge to Musharraf, as he has no support from the current assembly members. These members are the ones who will cast the votes. The lawyers who have made him a presidential candidate are not the voters.
So, I don't expect to him to be elected president. The lawyers just wanted to show that Musharraf has a competitor and there is some one who can challenge him.
Name
Ismail Jandi
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Profession
Question
Will Musharraf announce an emergency law if failed to be elected, I mean if the new candidate Judge Wajeehudin were elected,
Will Musharraf accept this reality? Thanks.
Answer
Yes, I think it's an expected option. Musharraf will announce an emergency law if he thinks he will fail. He wants just to save his seat in power. But there will be a lot of chaos in this case.
Name
Hamid - UK
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Profession
Question
As salaam o alaiqum,
I am a british Pakistani and I don't understand why everyone is after Musharraf? Musharraf is one of the most successful leaders of Pakistan. Under his policies the economic condition of the country has improved. He has initiated alot of development work in places like Karachi. He saved Pakistan from diaster after 9/11. The Chief justice he dismissed was shown to be corrupt...yet people rallied around him..why so? Musharraf is certainly alot better than our previous corrupt politicians such as Benazir and Nawaz shareef.
Answer
Yes, Musharraf is a popular leader among the silent community of Pakistan who is in majority. The people against Musharraf are the activists of political parties who could not share power with Musharraf. The people of Pakistan are with Musharraf, but these political activists are doing so as they are out of power and they just don't share the cake of power.
Name
Amr
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Profession
Technician
Question
Assalamu'Alaikum,
Ramadan Mubarak!
I'd like to know how can you explain the recent arrests in Pakistan, in terms of Freedom of speech and political rights?
- I am also wondering, why does this type of aggressive practices exist in the countries with Islamic backgrounds specifically?
Best Regards, and happy Ramadan!
Answer
The recent arrests have been made in order to keep peace, law and order and the keep situation under control.
These opposition leaders have threaten to hold demonstrations on the day of presidential filing of nomination papers to the election commission. So, this is just a preventive measure, and they are held responsible for this.
Name
Editor
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Profession
Question
Do you think the Supreme court is seeking a kind of tranquility with Musharraf for fear that he announces an emergency law? Is this a political maneuver with Musharraf?
Answer
The Supreme Court is not apparently involved in any political deal.
However, there is a very chance of imposition of emergency in case Musharraf loses his Supreme Court case. Then, the entire scenario will change dramatically.
Name
Hisham
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Profession
Question
Why the supreme court resolutions are not implemented by Musharraf, especially the resolution that allowed Nawaz to come back to Pakistan?
Answer
No, Nawaz Sharif is coming back again after this Eid (Muslims' feast after Ramadan) an he will be allowed to enter Pakistan.
The Supreme Court is the most powerul institution in Pakistan and can get its decisions implemented through the government by invoke contempt of court proceedings against Musharaf. It has the power to act this way.
Name
Editor..
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Profession
Question
The session has ended. We would like to thank Mr. Khuwaga Naveed Ahmed for taking the time to answer your questions, and all those who participated in this live dialogue.
We apologize for not being able to answer all the questions due to the guest's time limitation.
