Lahore HC to hear petition against Musharraf

Islamabad, May 21 : An amended petition filed against the dual office held by President General Pervez Musharraf will come up for hearing before the Lahore High Court tomorrow.

In the petition, to be heard by Justice Muhammad Akhtar Shabbir, the Pakistan Lawyers' Forum (PLF) president A K Dogar has requested that Gen Musharraf be declared ''inherently disqualified prior to election'' and not entitled to contest or hold the office of the president of Pakistan, the Daily Times today reported.

The PLF president also urged the court to restrict Gen Musharraf from taking part in any political activity in his capacity as Chief of the Army Staff.

The court, on the initial petition, had already sought assistance from the Deputy Attorney General (DAG) of Pakistan on its maintainability.

The High Court Office had objected to the petition on grounds that it was not maintainable, as the President had immunity from the law under the constitution. The court directed the petitioner to make a submission in light of Article 248 of the Constitution, which provides immunity to the president from any litigation. The petition was then fixed as an objection in court.

Dogar had said in the petition that Gen Musharraf was ''abusing his position as Army Chief and usurping the Prime Minister's powers''.

He had said that Gen Musharraf was acting as President of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML), even though ''Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was ostensibly the party president.'' ''Gen Musharraf has no business visiting members of a political party and offering them advice,'' the petitioner contended.

Dogar further submitted that Article 244 of the Constitution prohibited members of the armed forces from participating in any political activity.

UNI