A joint resolution on President Pervez Musharraf retaining and maintaining both offices of President and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) after December 31, 2004, moved in the Balochistan Assembly on Monday by Pakistan Muslim League ruling partners, was withdrawn soon after its presentation.
Speaker Jamal Shah presided over the special session convened by Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani for one day only. The house was then adjourned till October 5, 2004.
When the Speaker asked the movers, Chief Minister Yousuf and seven other members of his cabinet Shoaib Nausherwani, Asim Kurd, Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, Asghar Rind and Abdul Ghafoor Lehri plus Shabbir Ahmed Badini, one of the movers, Ehsan Shah, provincial finance minister, announced that the PML ruling elite had decided on its withdrawal, for the time being.
The speaker asked the house for its verdict. The entire house, including MMA sharing power with the PML in Balochistan Assembly and cabinet, other components as well as the opposition, approved of this official resolution withdrawal.
Later, talking to newsmen in his chamber, Chief Minister Jam Yousuf said that the resolution would be moved in the house with more preparation, in a better form soon.
He added that the process of dialogue seeking still more support from members of the house would continue prior to the presentation of the resolution on uniform for President Pervez Musharraf.
The Chief Minister said that presentation of any resolution and its withdrawal is a democratic process.
Asked for his reaction to MMA non-co-operation with PML for the resolution, the Chief Minister said that he would try to convince MMA of its support for the resolution when presented next time in near future. PML-MMA partnership, he added, would continue.
Later, Senior Minister Ahdul Wasey (MMA), when approached by pressmen, said that MMA central high command is against General Pervez Musharraf retaining both offices of President and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) after December 31, 2004.
Wasey emphatically declared that MMA would abide by the high command decision and continue to oppose the resolution whenever presented in the provincial assembly. He added that MMA would never favour President Musharraf wearing military uniform after December 31, 2004.
Asked if MMA was prepared for negative result of such non-co-operation with PML, Wasey said, "We are ready for dire consequences."
Leader of opposition Kachkol Ali appreciated MMA's stand. He accused PML of utter failure in adoption of the resolution. He added that efforts for political co-operation with MMA would be renewed in the provincial assembly and outside in future.
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