New Delhi, October 13
Despite a deal and the promulgation of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), a confrontation seems to be building up between Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Pakistan People’s Party supremo Benazir Bhutto. General Musharraf indicated this in an interview with Pakistani private television channel ARY One. The General made it clear that Bhutto must return to Pakistan only after the Supreme Court endorses his last week’s election as President.
He had asked Bhutto to delay her scheduled October 18 return to the country which will end her eight-year-long self-imposed exile. However, Bhutto is adamant on her return as per the schedule already announced.
Musharraf won last week’s presidential election by a huge majority after boycotts and abstentions by most Opposition members of the national and provincial Assemblies. But the catch is that he cannot be sworn in until the Supreme Court rules on petitions challenging his decision to contest the poll without giving up his army post.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to begin hearing on the matter on October 17, only
a day before Bhutto’s scheduled arrival in the country. A parliamentary poll is due to be held by January 15.
“I would say that she should not come before. We must tide over these problems. She should come later,” Musharraf said in an interview broadcast on October 10.
He refused to be drawn on how he would react if the court said he could not be President again and merely remarked, “We will cross the bridge when we reach it.” His lawyers have maintained that he will step down as army chief, but only if he is re-elected.
Before the presidential poll, Bhutto had sealed an agreement with Musharraf that gives her an amnesty on corruption charges. The pact could lead to the two sides agreeing to share power.
In the interview, Musharraf denied that the NRO had been promulgated to please Bhutto. “The NRO is a normal and ordinary ordinance aimed at ending confrontation and politics of vengeance.” He said the NRO was for “everyone and for every party”. He said through this ordinance, the government has put an end to the politics of victimisation and vendetta.
All political parties, he added, have been complaining of victimisation during this period and since this ordinance applies to all of them, it will lead to political reconciliation and address challenges facing the country.
Musharraf said only those cases have been revoked which were pending against politicians, bureaucrats and others in the NAB since the promulgation of NAB ordinance. “For heavens sake, forget those. It is a wholesome document, which ensures that political vendetta and victimisation gives way to harmony.”
Musharraf said he was unhappy over the PPP’s decision to boycott the presidential election. He, however, appreciated the party’s decision against resigning from the Assemblies, terming it a “positive move”
On the question whether his government would give the International Atomic Energy Agency access to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Musharraf replied in the negative.
“Pakistan is a sovereign country and nobody shall be allowed to interfere in our internal matters.” He also said no foreign troops would be allowed to carry out any military action on Pakistan’s soil.
Musharraf also categorically stated that he will not join any political party as a civilian president.
