‘Uniform won’t bar President to contest polls’
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sher Afgan Niazi has said that President General Pervez Musharraf can participate in presidential elections for second tenure without relinquishing the office of Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
“Army slot does not restrict President to contest presidential elections being a civilian”, the Minister told reporters here on Thursday. He noted that constitution also allows President to participate in presidential polls in military uniform. Afgan observed that President Musharraf would remain President unless another President take his place.
He also negated Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan’s statement that President can not contest presidential elections while keeping the office of COAS. “However, he (president) will have to get vote from electoral college for his election for second tenure”, the Minister added.
He clarified that as clause No 8 and 9 of constitution has been eliminated, President will have to get vote from National Assembly, Senate and Provincial Assemblies for his election. “He (President) can not be elected for second term by getting vote of confidence”, he added.
The Minister said President senior advisor Sharifuddin Pirzada also supported his stance on President’s uniform. Afgan said that he also wrote letter to Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and forwarded its copy to President for taking action against two provincial Ministers Saqlain and Gul Hameed Rokhari.