ECP meeting: Musharraf’s party allowed to take part in next polls

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday allowed former president Pervez Musharraf’s party, All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), to take part in the next general elections.

In its meeting, ECP rejected objections of two parties that had challenged the registration of Musharraf’s party with the name of APML.

An official of the ECP told The Express Tribune that the commission held the objections baseless as both the parties were only on paper and had no real existence.

The official said that under the political parties act of 2002, the ECP does not register any party, but only analyses the documents of the parties, and if they are complete, election symbols are allotted and the party is allowed to take part in polls.

After quitting power Musharraf had made a party in 2009. Its application with the ECP lingered on since the commission was not complete.

The meeting also decided to remove symbols that look alike and create confusion for the voters when published on the ballot paper. “Symbols like sparrow and parrot, stick and arrow, box and briefcase etcetera create confusions,” the ECP official said.

He said the commission also recommended that symbols that can be considered derogatory be removed.  The official said the commission has directed its election branch to make a list of all such symbols and include new symbols such as a computer and mobile phone in the list as some of the traditional symbols are not recognisable to the younger generation.

The commission has summoned 29 lawmakers who were elected in the by-polls held after the passing of the 18th constitutional amendment to appear on August 13 and give their point of view on a case pending with the Supreme Court on the validity of the elections.

Attorney General of Pakistan has also been called on the same day.

The SC had questioned the validity of election of these lawmakers, because the commission’s composition was not in conformity with the 18th amendment  and the government had not appointed its four members. Nine MNAs, 16 MPAs and three Senators were elected during this period.

The government had announced to bring a 19th amendment to give a legal cover to the election of these members, but the idea did not materialise due to increasing political polarisation in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 20^th, 2011.

Source: The Express Tribune

Musharraf and Twitter

KARACHI: This is with reference to your news item titled “Musharraf to be back in January”. After reading it, I changed my status on Twitter to “Pervez Musharraf announces return in January 2012”. Unaware of the power of global technology, I came back on Twitter around an hour later, only to be bombarded with a list of notifications. Within a span of 60 minutes or so, 775 people had re-tweeted my status — and most of those who did were between the ages of 18-29.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that such a vast number of people share my views about Pervez Musharraf. I’ve always believed that what Pakistan needs the most during these critical times is a man not only fluent in politics but also well-versed in military tactics. Clearly, I am not alone.

Those who have doubted that Musharraf would return to Pakistan may be in for a surprise. And those who think that there is a decline in his support need to think again.

Zoya Gulzar

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2011.

Source: The Express Tribune

Musharraf – Returning on January 2012

Musharraf announces January 2012 return

LAHORE: All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) President Pervez Musharraf announced on Sunday that he will come back to Pakistan in January 2012.

Addressing a videoconference in Lahore from London, APML President stated that the solution for Pakistan’s prevailing challenges do not lie in undemocratic initiatives and that military intervention into politics would be fatal for Pakistan and its people.

The APML arranged a public gathering at Nasir Bagh Lahore, where party workers from across the country had gathered to listen to Musharraf’s address.

APML President asserted that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Army guarantee Pakistan’s solidarity and sovereignty and added that some elements were conspiring to defame the ISI and Pakistan’s security forces.

Commenting on the performance of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the current government, Musharraf said that both the leading political parties had been in power twice but had delivered nothing to the masses.

Musharraf urged that the people of Pakistan should cast their votes regardless of their caste and creed, linguistic, religious and provincial prejudices.

Endorsing the demand of Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, Musharraf said that politicians should submit details of their assets.

“I will provide details of my assets on my arrival in Pakistan,” Musharraf reiterated.

The APML President also said that Pakistan was engulfed into crisis due to incompetent rulers and amidst these hard times, any institution of the country solely cannot steer the country out from the current crisis.

“I led Pakistan towards prosperity and stabilized the economy of the country during my regime and boosted the image of the country worldwide,” APML President said.

“I will soon be among my countrymen and the elements who levelled allegations against me should gather evidences, as they have failed to prove even a single corruption allegation against me”, Musharraf challenged.

APML President also said that only the people of Pakistan can bring change in the country.

Source: The Express Tribune

Musharraf to arrive next month

Former President and head of All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf has changed his return schedule and decided to reach the country in January 2012 instated of March 23 next year.

Keeping in view the prevailing political scenario of the country, Musharraf has made slight changes in his programme to land in Pakistan, said APML leader Rashid Qureshi Monday.

He said that his new return schedule has been prepared according to which Pervez Musharraf would arrive at Lahore airport during the last week of January 2012.

Source: Nation