News
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
MPs demand Musharraf be tried under Article 6
By Muhammad Bilal
ISLAMABAD: A majority of the parliamentarians on Monday opposed safe passage for former president Pervez Musharraf and demanded his trial under Article 6 of the constitution. In a National Assembly session dominated by fiery speeches, members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) harshly criticised Musharraf, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) faintly defended the former president. The Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) parliamentarians did not voice their opinion. Sardar Mehtab Khan of the PML-N first raised the issue in the House. “The nation has got rid of an axis of evil today. Musharraf was trying to undermine the sovereignty of parliament,” he said. Khan, the former NWFP chief minister, said the nation wanted Pervez Musharraf to be tried under Article 6 for twice abrogating the constitution, triggering shouts of “Hang Musharraf” in the House. While criticising the former president, PML-N leader Javed Hashmi said, “August 18 is a milestone in our history. Even the handpicked party of Musharraf has disowned him,” he said. He said the ruling alliance had no reason to delay the reinstatement of sacked judges now, adding that the test of democratic government to deliver according to the people’s wishes would start tomorrow (Tuesday). Tehmina Daultana of the PML-N also stressed the need for Musharraf’s trial saying, “We should not honour a man who has acted illegally.” Some verbal sparring between the treasury and opposition benches was witnessed when the PML-Q members including Shahnaz Sheikh tried defending Musharraf.
Courtesy Daily Times