Backlash: Protest against Musharraf contesting from Chitral
Protesters appealed to the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take actions against the former president.
Former president Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: AFP
PESHAWAR:
Civil society activists from Chitral district on Thursday staged a protest against former president Pervez Musharraf’s arrival in the country, and asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to disallow him from contesting elections from the district.
Holding a banner inscribed with anti-Musharraf slogans, residents of Chitral assembled outside the Peshawar Press Club and called upon the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take legal action against the retired general.
Addressing a gathering of reporters, Haji Salahuddin, who was leading the protest, said Musharraf had taken an unconstitutional step while in power by imposing a state of emergency in the country on November 3, 2007.
He argued individuals who violated the Constitution should not be allowed to take part in the general elections. Salahuddin also accused Musharraf of being responsible for the controversial Lal Masjid incident in Islamabad during July 2007.
He further said the former president did nothing for the development of Chitral during his term, and warned a sit-in would be staged outside the ECP office if Musharraf is allowed to stand as a candidate from Chitral.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 29th, 2013.
Civil society activists from Chitral district on Thursday staged a protest against former president Pervez Musharraf’s arrival in the country, and asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to disallow him from contesting elections from the district.
Holding a banner inscribed with anti-Musharraf slogans, residents of Chitral assembled outside the Peshawar Press Club and called upon the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take legal action against the retired general.
Addressing a gathering of reporters, Haji Salahuddin, who was leading the protest, said Musharraf had taken an unconstitutional step while in power by imposing a state of emergency in the country on November 3, 2007.
He argued individuals who violated the Constitution should not be allowed to take part in the general elections. Salahuddin also accused Musharraf of being responsible for the controversial Lal Masjid incident in Islamabad during July 2007.
He further said the former president did nothing for the development of Chitral during his term, and warned a sit-in would be staged outside the ECP office if Musharraf is allowed to stand as a candidate from Chitral.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 29th, 2013.