Pak opposition parties ask Musharraf to step down

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's opposition parties have asked President Pervez Musharraf to step down taking the blame for the crisis generated by the suspension of Chief Justice Iftikar M Chaudhry instead of looking for 'scapegoats'.

Leaders of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) said the crisis can end if Musharraf quits after putting in place an interim set up to hold free and fair
elections.

PPP Deputy Secretary General Mian Raza Rabbani said that Musharraf had violated Article 209 of the constitution by filing a reference against the Chaudhry without ascertaining the authenticity of charges of misconduct and abuse of power.

"Under Article 209, the president has to satisfy himself about the allegations against the CJP before filing a reference despite taking advice from the prime minister. Since the president has filed the reference, he is the only one responsible for the judicial crisis," he was quoted by the Daily Times as saying.

Rabbani said summoning the CJP to Army House following his suspension made it clear that President Musharraf was responsible for the ongoing chaos in the judiciary.

"The president should have kept in mind before filing the reference that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had a grudge against the CJP due to an unfavourable decision in the Steel Mills privatisation case," he said.

Notwithstanding official denials, speculation is rife that Musharraf may replace Aziz holding him responsible for the crisis.