Top army commanders repose full confidence in Musharraf

Islamabad, June 1 (UNI) Top Pakistan army commanders today reposed full confidence in the leadership of President Pervez Musharraf as the ongoing judicial crisis in the country continued to deepen.

The corps commanders conference came six days after participants at a seminar on 'separation of powers and independence of the judiciary' in Islamabad used what government officials called derogatory remarks against the armed forces.

The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance on a letter by Interior Ministry, which asked the court to initiate contempt proceedings against those who defamed armed forces and other institutions, including the judiciary at the seminar, addressed by dismissed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

A five-member Bench of the apex court is to hear the petition on Monday.

Chaired by General Musharraf and attended by all corps commanders and principal staff officers, the conference took serious note of the malicious campaign against institutions of state, launched by vested interests and opportunists, who were acting as obstructionist forces to serve their personal interests and agenda even at the cost of flouting the rule of law, a military statement said.

The commanders strongly reaffirmed Pakistan Army's support for continuation of the Government's policies, both internal and external, and affirmed to stand committed to the security of their country under the leadership and guidance of the President.

''It was resolved to ensure that the nation continues on the path of socio-economic development and carries on its mission to rid society from the scourge of extremism,'' said the statement.

It quoted commanders as stressing that any attempt by a small minority to obstruct the aspirations of vast majority would only derail the nation from its path of progress and prosperity.

''The Pakistan Army is committed to lending full support towards realisation of the vision set by the President for a dynamic, progressive and moderate Islamic State,'' they declared.

The President appreciated unstinting support of the participants and assured them that nobody would be allowed to bring instability in the country.

UNI