Courting favour: The NRO verdict must be accepted, says Musharraf

Says although situation is as bad as 1999, martial law is not a possibility.

MULTAN: As Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party continue to bicker over the National Reconciliation Ordinance, the man responsible for authoring the ordinance has finally spoken. 

“The NRO was a deal with the late Benazir Bhutto. The matter is now in court and I will prefer that the court resolve it,” said former president and chief of the All Pakistan Muslim League Pervez Musharraf, while addressing the Multan Press Club’s weekly ‘Meet the Press’ meeting on Friday. “We all should accept and respect the court’s orders.”

The dictator-turned-politician, who himself assumed power in a bloodless coup in 1999, said that the solution to Pakistan’s myriad of problems was democracy.

“The country’s economic condition is the same as it was in 1999, but there will be no martial law,” Musharraf said, adding that military rule will not be encouraged or supported by world leaders. “A political solution must be adopted.”

Calling on the people of Pakistan to stand up and be counted, he said that it was time for Pakistanis to elect a suitable leader. “This dominance of two parties must end and the people of Pakistan need to understand this as soon as possible. Through the APML, we are giving them that chance and we hope they will make the right choice,” he said.
Speaking about new provinces, a heated debate that has made its way into the National Assembly, Musharraf said that a Seraiki province was an unavoidable reality and must be made as soon as possible. “The formation of a Seraiki province will be one of the first things I will undertake if I come to power as it is the right of the people of southern Punjab.”Musharraf, who had encouraged many technocrats during his tenure, said that the business community has a key role to play in supporting the economy and bringing transparency into Pakistani politics. He said that he felt proud that he had facilitated a vibrant and independent media and appreciates its efforts in highlighting the various issues currently plaguing Pakistan. “However, the media has to be more responsible when presenting opinions before the people.”

Thousands of APML workers from southern Punjab organised a rally, demanding Musharraf’s early return to Pakistan. The party’s spokesperson has said that Musharraf will return to Pakistan on January 27.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2012.