By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistan’s military ruler Pervez Musharraf will launch his campaign to seek re-election to the presidency Monday with an address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day amid indications that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto might approach the apex court to challenge the move.
Musharraf’s campaign for the presidential poll, scheduled between Sep 15 and Oct 15, will include mass contact programmes. Several TV channels will begin a special programme, “Awan-e-Saddar Kay Nam Say”, (on behalf of the president) where he will answer questions from the public, Daily Times said Monday.
His determination to seek a second term, while retaining his uniform as the army chief, using the same electoral college that elected him once in 2002 is however likely to be challenged before the Supreme Court.
Exiled former prime minister Benazir Bhutto said in New York Sunday that her Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would approach the apex court if Musharraf began his campaign without shedding his uniform.
She reiterated what she told several American media last week – that she was opposed to Musharraf retaining his uniform while seeking re-election.
However, she sought to correct her position on the issue. She denied the “confidential understanding” that she earlier claimed to have reached with Musharraf (ostensibly, when the two met in Abu Dhabi earlier this month).
“I said that we have a point of view on this issue and the government has its own point of view.”
That being the situation, the matter would go to the Supreme Court.
She said the PPP began similar negotiations with the Musharraf government in 2002, but these did not succeed.
“A president in uniform is not acceptable to the PPP. The uniform issue is the foremost issue. If Musharraf goes for re-election while staying in uniform, we will move the Supreme Court against it,” Bhutto said while addressing a ceremony organised by the Pakistan League of America in connection with Independence Day.