Opposition to frame 'national charter' for campaign, move 'to send Musharraf home'

The opposition on Monday pledged to frame a 'National Charter' on the basis of which a country-wide campaign would be launched to "send President Musharraf home".
It rejected President General Pervez Musharraf as President and Army chief, pledging to rid the country of him "to restore" Parliament's sovereignty.
Opposition leaders in meeting in lobbies decided to boycott National Assembly business until President Musharraf makes an exit.
After chanting slogans, such as 'Go, Musharraf, Go' and 'Death to violators of the Constitution', inside National Assembly, opposition members paraded in front of Speaker's dais for some time.
"This country can't be run this way anymore", some opposition members said while staging (not unusual) walkout from the House.
They contended that after the passage of the 'dual office' bill, the Assembly had become meaningless, and being part of it was of no use. However, they insisted that they would not resign. Instead, they would go to masses on the basis of a 'charter', presently being discussed among opposition parties.
MMA President Qazi Hussain and other members told newsmen in Parliament House that they would soon be going to the masses for revival of rule of law and Parliament's supremacy.
Qazi said that the situation has altogether changed and the system is neither parliamentary nor presidential. Instead, it was military form of rule, he added. "We reject this system and are unanimous to wage a struggle based on common points among all opposition groups," he said and added they would not wait for December 31, the constitutional deadline for Musharraf to doff his uniform.
Musharraf, "who is now a dictator", had not only violated the Constitution but also the Army Act, disgracing the Parliament and political parties, the MMA leader alleged.
He said that there was no justification for the opposition to remain in the Assembly, stripped of its powers. "We are discussing modes of country-wide campaign, the 'charter', and how and by whom the next election would be managed," Qazi said.
Pakistan Peoples' Party Parliamentarian leader Mehmood Qureshi said the Parliament was meant to serve as a mere showpiece for the international community. "All the important decisions are being made and policies formulated outside the Parliament, which shows its redundant character," he added.
The 'dual office' bill, he said, had compelled the international institutions and the Commonwealth to carefully look into the post-bill scenario in Pakistan.
About Parliament's performance, he said that opposition was denied its constitutional role despite the fact it braved awkward situations during the last couple of years for the sake of democracy. "The Constitution and the rules were ridiculed and the way the October election and by-elections were conducted are proof of the very fact," he said.
Referring to government claims of economic turnaround, PPPP member said that the government had line of action to arrest increasing joblessness, rampant lawlessness and insecurity. Above all, what has happened to the much-touted 'Ramazan Package'. "There has been minimum 35 percent increase in the prices of every essential kitchen item since the holy month began," he said.
"We will give a good news to the nation within days. We will announce a collective programme to end Musharraf's rule," declared PML (N) acting president Nisar Ali Khan.
He said that the opposition could wait no more after the passage of the most controversial bill, adding that the crucial juncture has arrived to steer the country out of dictatorship.
The PML (N) leader contended that the opposition, despite having serious reservations over the electoral process, took part in the election and accepted the results.
Hafiz Hussain of MMA said that like Zafarullah Jamali and Shujaat Hussain, Shaukat Aziz has also been compelled to call General Musharraf his boss.
He said that MMA would start its anti-government programme by holding public rally in Karachi on November 28.
Liaquat Baloch stated that the opposition had strongly rejected Musharraf's policy on Afghanistan and Iraq. "We will soon come up with a national 'charter', bearing signatures of all leaders to give the nation a new direction," he said.