By IANS
Islamabad : Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is hoping to get re-elected by mid-September before he leaves for the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session but might find many a stumbling block in his path.
“The president’s election can be held any time on or after Sep 15 but before Oct 15,” the Daily Times Thursday quoted Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sher Afgan Niazi as saying.
“Hectic consultations continue between (Musharraf’s) top aides and legal advisors… for his re-election before he leaves for the UN General Assembly session,” the newspaper added.
The session begins Sep 19 and Musharraf is due to deliver his address Sep 19 or 20.
However, Musharraf has to contend with the fact that his re-election bid has been challenged in the Supreme Court on the ground that the same electoral college – the current National Assembly and the provincial assemblies – that elected him in the first place cannot return him.
Thus, it is not surprising that reports continue to circulate about the possibility of martial law or an emergency being declared. This would enable the postponement of elections by at least a year.
“Political circles do not see smooth sailing for the president as reports of the possibility of martial law and emergency rule refuse to die, with officials saying off-the-record that all options including martial law, emergency rule and extension in the tenure of the National Assembly are open,” the Times noted.
Then, there is the question of an agreement, or the lack of it, with former two-time prime minister Benazir Bhutto to return home from exile and share power with Musharraf.
Railway Minister Rashid Ahmed said talks with Bhutto were continuing and the results “will be clear within two weeks”.
On Wednesday, however, the Senate and the National Assembly were prorogued without considering a bill that has been moved to remove the bar on an individual becoming prime minister for a third term.
Bhutto has indicated her Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) will abstain from the electoral process if Musharraf contests the election without shedding his uniform.
Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has also said that lawmakers belonging to his faction of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML) will quit their seats if Musharraf contests in uniform.
According to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Niazi, this would not impact on the electoral process.
“The resignation of any member or members from the assemblies will not affect the presidential election,” Niazi said.