Politicians encouraged military rulers: Pak SC

Islamabad, Sep 21: Pakistan Supreme Court has observed that it was the politicians who encouraged military rulers.

The court held that Parliament was trying to shift its responsibilites on the court, saying ''The court cannot make a lame-duck Parliament a lion.'' A nine-judge bench, hearing a set of petitions challenging President Pervez Musharraf holding two offices and his re-election bid pointed out that the courts could not be blamed for military rulers, as the public had celebrated coups and politicians encouraged them, Daily Times reported.

''You are engaged here in resolving the legal issues, while political leaders outside are still engaged with the government in deals,'' it pointed out to counsel for Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek Insaf, Hamid Khan.

The court also held that the maintainability of Gen Musharraf's nomination would be decided by the Election Commission, saying the apex court should not assume the powers of the EC to accept or reject nominations.

When Mr Khan submitted that the election of the President by the outgoing assemblies was against the spirit of the Constitution, and the 17th Amendment changed Article 244 only to facilitate the current president, the court said this was the will of Parliament and it could only interpret legislation.

''The remedy lies in amending the act (through parliament)...We cannot rewrite the Constitution.'' The senior counsel contended that Gen Musharraf had also violated Article 244 by taking part in political activities. But the court said Parliament could impeach the President under Article 47, if it felt so.

UNI