The Hindu : 'New Pak. members must swear allegiance to statute changes'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 15, 2002

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'New Pak. members must swear allegiance to statute changes'

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD Nov. 14. The Pakistan Law Minister, Khalid Ranja, has said that newly-elected members of the National Assembly would have to swear allegiance to the Legal Framework Order (LFO), incorporating the controversial amendments to the Constitution by the President, Pervez Musharraf.

The observations made by Dr. Ranja assume significance as all the anti-Musharraf parties have asserted that they would take oath to uphold the suspended 1973 Constitution and not the amendments made by Gen. Musharraf.

While maintaining that the newly-elected members of the Assembly would be sworn in under the oath prescribed by the Constitution and the LFO, the Minister has said that debatable parts of the LFO can be resolved inside Parliament, through the court or among the political parties.

The Minister has said that the Leader of the House would be elected by the members of the National Assembly and has to obtain simple majority in the National Assembly. In case it is not possible the first time, run-off election could be held.

Dr. Ranjha said Gen. Musharraf would revive the Constitution before the inaugural session of the National Assembly. He said the present transition is not normal as it is from a military to a civilian government.

He claimed that the Government has acted with sincerity on transition of power and the session of the National Assembly was postponed because of the unforeseen situation arising after elections.

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