Speaker in the dock on Musharraf move

The Opposition in the national Assembly has threatened to move a no-trust motion against Speaker Amir Hussain for declaring Legal Framework ...

The Opposition in the national Assembly has threatened to move a no-trust motion against Speaker Amir Hussain for declaring Legal Framework Order (LFO) a part of the Constitution and thus allowing President Pervez Musharraf to retain the post of the President as well as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

The announcement was made at a joint news conference late last night after an emergency meeting attended by Opposition parties. The motion would be handed over to the Assembly secretariat in the next couple of days, Hafiz Hussain, an MMA leader said, adding that requisition for convening the Assembly session would be contemplated after consulting member parties.

The combined Opposition, on a point of order, had sought the ruling of Amir Hussain. The Speaker held the ruling till Saturday when he declared the LFO as part of the Constitution and adjourned the House sine die. The Opposition was not in the House.

Story continues below this ad

The Opposition parties’ meeting discussed the situation arising after the Speaker’s ruling and decided to increase pressure on Gen Musharraf to step down as the COAS or resign as the President. Briefing journalists, MMA secretary General Maulana Fazlur Rehman said Hussain’s decision was partial. He said the meeting had resolved to ask the Speaker to voluntarily resign otherwise the Opposition would move a no-trust motion against him.

The Opposition charged the Speaker with giving ruling in haste and under pressure of the government. ‘‘We have decided in the meeting to move to the court of the people.’’