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Thursday, May 20, 2010
Govt has authority to take action against Musharraf on its own: AitzazStaff Report
ISLAMABAD: The government has full authority to take action against former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf on its own, Supreme Court Bar Association’s (SCBA) former president Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan said on Wednesday.
Talking to reporters at the Supreme Court of Pakistan, he said the issue of Pervez Musharraf’s trial could be resolved with the interference of the judiciary. He said it was up to the government to file a lawsuit against Musharraf in the court.
Replying to a question, he also said the president had the constitutional powers to pardon the sentences awarded by the courts.
He said Interior Minister Rehman Malik could retain both the offices of the senator and Interior minister unless the Election Commissioner and the Senate Chairman send a reference against him.
“The right to appeal in the apex court is available to Malik and he should exercise it,” he added.
Responding to another question, he said the independence of the judiciary and a democratic government had been restored after a joint struggle by lawyers and the civil society and now there should be no confrontation between the two. “A tussle between them can harm democracy in the country,” he added. Expressing his optimism, he said there will be no tussle between the two institutions, as the government will implement the verdicts of the SC.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk