Pakistan Assembly supports Musharraf

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-08-2007 13:27

Supporters of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League party chant pro-Musharraf slogans in Karachi November 7, 2007. REUTERS/Mohsin Hassan (PAKISTAN)

Pakistan's lower house, the National Assembly, has passed a resolution endorsing the proclamation of a state of emergency.

The Assembly has also endorsed the Provisional Constitutional Order, or PCO. On Wednesday, President General Pervez Musharraf defended the proclamation of emergency. He said the action was taken in national interests so as to ensure peace and security.

The resolution was presented in the house by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs on Wednesday. The house noted that the proclamation of emergency and the issuance of the PCO were necessary in view of recent terrorist acts in the country. The house also noted disharmony among pillars of the state.

The house passed another resolution congratulating President Pervez Musharraf on his re-election. The resolution said that the country was on a path of progress and prosperity under the leadership of President Musharraf.

Pakistan's government officials, left, try to stop supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Nov 7, 2007. (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)

The President met with parliamentarians belonging to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q and its allies after the resolutions were passed.

He said the support given to him was an endorsement of the political process which had brought about a turn around in all sectors of national life, particularly in the economic and political fields.

Only the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q and its allied groups attended the session. Pakistan People's Party members boycotted the assembly session and other opposition members have already resigned from the assembly.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, the chairperson of the Pakistan People's Party, said that President Musharraf would have to restore the constitution for the peaceful transition of powers.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto speaks during a news conference at the party secretariat in Islamabad November 7, 2007. (Faisal Mahmood/Reuters)

She urged Musharraf to quit his post as army chief before November the 15th. And she called on supporters to defy a ban on protesting the imposition of emergency rule.

According to Bhutto, her supporters are planning a rally Friday in the city of Rawalpindi. And they plan to make a 300-km march from Lahore to the capital early next week.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei