Turnout may be lower in polls, says Musharraf

President Pervez Musharaf has said that the deposed judges would not be restored in any circumstances and a situation will not crop up prompting parliament to restore them since any change in the present status will require two-thirds support in House for such a move. The president was wearing a black sweatshirt with jacket. He was in an upbeat and relaxed mood. He shook hands with the staff of the restaurant and came to the hotel without any protocol or security.
To a question, President Pervez Musharraf said that the presumption of dissolving the next National Assembly in case it opts to restore the deposed judges of the superior courts is out of place. No parliament would like to remove sitting judges of the court. He disclosed that the Supreme Court would be attaining its full strength soon with two more judges being inducted shortly. “A two-thirds majority will be needed to amend the Constitution. The incumbent judges are holding their offices in accordance with the constitution”, the president said.
The president’s attention was drawn to the testimony of the US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher in a hearing at Capitol Hill wherein he stated that President Musharraf would dissolve parliament if it tries to restore the deposed judges. This act of the president would be in line with the Constitution. The president assured that this stage would never come.
To a another query President Pervez Musharraf said that the turnout in the upcoming polls was expected to be lower but the government would provide full security to the voters and other people. “In-fact the candidates bring the voters to the polling stations. I am sure they will succeed in their efforts as the elections are hotly contested”, he added. the president was of the view that despite this, it would not be a discouraging turnout. He said that the polls would take place on the 18th of this month come what may. The government is fully determined to hold the elections in a free, fair and transparent manner in a peaceful environment.
The president said that people would give a sensible verdict by choosing their representatives who could deliver in a befitting manner and who can look after the national interest in the best possible way.
He parried a question about Dr. A Q Khan who has been given some concessions recently. Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Ehsanullah Khan was also with the president at the dinner.