By KUNA
Islamabad : The Supreme Court of Pakistan dismissed on Friday all review petitions challenging validation of President Pervez Musharraf’s candidacy, over a monthlong emergency rule and proclamation of Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) during the period.
The petitions challenging Musharraf’s candidacy as the next president of Pakistan has been major factor behind the imposition of emergency rule in the country on November 3 as the court ruling was expected to go against Musharraf.
The full bench of the court dismissed review petitions challenging the validation of its earlier verdicts favoring Musharraf’s extra-constitutional steps which it justified by saying that they were taken “in the larger interests of the state and for the welfare of the people.” The review was sought by Tikka Iqbal Mohammad Khan who, along with Watan Party chairman Zafarullah Khan, had challenged the imposition of emergency and Provisional Constitution Order, removal of judges and curbs on the media.
The petition sought setting aside of the court’s verdict on emergency and said that the extra-constitutional step was against the national interest.
Musharraf in November imposed emergency in the country and validated it by the means of PCO that dismissed Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chauhdary, and suspended people’s rights.
All the judges, who refused to take oath under PCO, are still under house arrest.
Though emergency was lift on December 14th but the country since that has plunged into security crisis with suicide bombings and bomb explosions targeting security forces becoming a routine across the country, particularly in the northern swath.