Amnesty bill threatens to split Pakistan govt.

Tue Nov 3, 2009

The Pakistani government's key coalition partner is opposed to a parliamentary bill that would give amnesty to former president Pervez Musharraf and other politicians, saying it would create political chaos in the government.

The proposed parliamentary bill, due to be floated in parliament this week, offers an amnesty to Musharraf and other senior politicians who are facing corruption charges.

Before leaving office, Musharraf had introduced the National Reconciliation Order (NRO) in an effort to strike a power-sharing deal with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

It also applied to another former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif.

Both were living in exile abroad and reluctant to return because of a slew of corruption cases lodged against them until the amnesty was announced.

On Monday Altaf Hussain, the leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and a key government ally, asked President Asif Ali Zardari to stop backing the amnesty bill.

Political analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi said Hussain's suggestion showed a serious split in the coalition that could turn into a full-blown political crisis for the government. The MQM's support is vital for Zardari's government as it lacks a simple majority in the parliament.

"It may be a bargaining chip, but it also has the potential to create difficulties for the government and can even destabilize the government if it's pursued," he said.

"It's a black law. It will earn a bad name for the democratic institutions of the country, Sharif told reporters at a press conference.

He added, "We will not only forcefully vote against the NRO if it's tabled in the parliament but will also mobilize the public against it."

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://edition.presstv.ir/detail/110299.html.