Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) central leader Khwaja Saad Rafiq has said that efforts are on for formation of a "combined opposition", to wage a joint struggle for ouster of General Musharraf from the corridors of power.
"Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) and other opposition parties are coming closer and hopefully, a combined opposition will come into being within this year," he told reporters at a news conference at Lahore Press Club on Sunday.
"The echo of our protest we have launched from Shahra-e-Dastoor, will soon be heard all over the country," he remarked. The bill on uniform, in fact, has proved a blessing in disguise as it has brought MMA, ARD and other opposition parties and groups close to each other, he claimed.
Condemning the government for passing the bill he said, "I call this uniform act as a dirty act, which is tantamount to making the armed forces as armed league." "Mian Nawaz Sharif, while using his powers as prime minister had dismissed Musharraf as the army chief, therefore, he is a dismissed army chief now," he claimed.
Khwaja Saad Rafiq, who is also member of the National Assembly, said, "the presidential uniform is the root-cause of the prevailing crisis and the crimes committed by Musharraf as a uniformed president are unforgettable."
He has failed in toto in protecting the territorial as well as national interests of the country, he alleged and said that India started the process of fencing along the Line of Control in his tenure while he also kept a 'criminal silence' over violation of Pakistan's air space by the US.
About the 17th Amendment, he said this so-called amendment has led the country to the presidential form of government, which is against the spirit of 1973 Constitution. He added that 1973 Constitution is a consensus document, which can not be amended, even with a two-thirds majority.
To a question he said that the opposition parties have tabled a motion for removal of the NA Speaker from office and, if the government remained impartial in the course of balloting, the speaker will have to quit. He said that according to the Constitution, the voting would take place through secret balloting, therefore, a number of government side MNAs could vote against the speaker.
"We have also come to know that to avoid defeat the government is considering not to allow the treasury benches to take part in the polling." But even if the government uses this option it will get exposed before the nation, he claimed.
He further said that ARD has already planned to hold public rallies soon after Eid-ul-Fitr in all the provinces, and the alliance leaders were in touch with the MMA leadership to seek their support on the issue. "We will use all tactics for success of our movement, and, if necessary, we will not hesitate to submit combined resignations from the assemblies, he said.
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