Aziz hails Supreme Court's verdict on Musharraf

Islamabad, Sep 28 (UNI) Welcoming the Pakistan Supreme Court's verdict allowing President Pervez Musharraf to fight the October 6 election without doffing his Army uniform, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz today said the landmark decision would finally put to rest all ambiguities regarding the President's re-election.

''Today Pakistan has crossed an important indeed critical milestone in its march towards true democracy. The decision of the honourable Supreme Court on the constitutional petition on the holding of two offices by President Musharraf will be hailed by all those who believe in the supremacy of the constitution and the law and who want Pakistan to move ahead on the democratic course which began in October 2002.'' The Prime Minister said it was for the first time in the political history of Pakistan that the elected national and provincial assemblies would complete their full term, trigerring a new electoral process.

''This is a huge achievement for a country where elected governments have never lived their elected life span. It is now our collective responsibility and that of all political parties, the civil society and indeed of every Pakistani to ensure that the forthcoming elections are held in harmony and in peace and transfer of power takes place in a fair and transparent manner,'' Mr Aziz said.

The Prime Minister called the people of Pakistan to accept the judgement with grace and dignity and move on with the electoral process in a mature and dignified manner, doing the country proud.

UNI