A senior Pakistan minister has flayed the Chief Election Commissioner for suggesting that President Pervez Musharraf should desist from attending public rallies.Hinting Musharraf will continue to address rallies of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sher Afgan said CEC Qazi Mohammad Farooq’s statement was “premature and inappropriate”.“The law allows the President to address public gatherings until the Election Commission of Pakistan announces the poll schedule,” the Daily Times quoted Afghan as saying.Farooq had said in Lahore that it was “not appropriate” for Musharraf to address public meetings as it would be tantamount to dabbling in politics.Minister of State for Information Tariq Azeem said Musharraf should not only take part in PML-Q rallies but even address meetings of Opposition parties if invited. The minister justified that the President’s participation in public gatherings was fine as he discussed matters of national interest. Azeem added that Musharraf did not seek to garner support for the PML-Q, but sought votes for progressive elements in all parties. The General has participated in a number of Opposition meets organised by the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal and the Pakistan People’s Party.Legal experts have demanded that the CEC “walk the talk” and bars Musharraf from addressing election campaigns. Some have even cited restraining orders passed by the Indian Election Commission, imposing restrictions on former prime minister Indira Gandhi from taking part in election campaigning.Others said that though there was no precedent in Pakistan of a CEC passing a restraining order against the President, the official could implement his order in letter and spirit by passing restraining orders against the PML if the party invites Musharraf to campaign for them at a public meeting.
