Pakistan Views

President Pervez Musharraf on Monday was forced to swallow another bitter pill as he received the advice to convene the inaugural meeting of a new parliament that is packed with more foes and few friends for him. The Prime Minister Secretariat sent the summary for seeking President’s approval for calling the National Assembly’s maiden session. Caretaker Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Afzal Haider told Business Recorder that the suggestion did not envisage any timeframe for the meeting. As usual, it is being widely feared that the weakening President would try to hit back, and delay the convening of the parliament that can get around 60 deposed judges, including former chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, back to their jobs. Musharraf met with legal aides on Monday to seek expert opinion. It gave currency to speculations that Musharraf was trying to manoeuvre through whatever strength he has been left with. But Haider said he did not feel any such thing. The Minister said he expected that the National Assembly would meet this week. “I am sure the President will call the session as soon as possible,” Haider said over the phone. “It’s not going to take long,” he added. Asked whether he had any information of Musharraf being willing to call the session soon, he said: “There are never firm guarantees in such matters. But there are some constitutional traditions which the President must follow.” Meanwhile, spokesperson for Musharraf Rashid Qureshi also confirmed the receipt of the summary and expressed hope for fixation of date for the meeting within a couple of days.