PCO may be withdrawn within days: AG

* Qayyum says president’s oath and general elections will be under 1973 Constitution

ISLAMABAD: Attorney General (AG) of Pakistan Malik Muhammad Qayyum said on Tuesday that the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO) would be lifted “very soon”. “It is for sure the elections will be held under the constitution and not the PCO,” he told Daily Times. He said when the Presidential election was held the constitution was fully operative and General Musharraf was re-elected for another term as a constitutional president. When asked if he could suggest a time frame for the lifting of emergency rule and revocation of the PCO, he said President General Pervez Musharraf had empowered himself, through an amendment, to revoke the PCO.

Constitutional oath, polls: The AG said, “General Musharraf’s oath as civilian president on November 29 would be taken under the 1973 Constitution and not under the PCO. He added that the upcoming general elections would also be held under the 1973 Constitution. Under the PCO some Articles relating to fundamental rights and the higher judiciary were suspended while provisions dealing with the presidential office remained intact, he said. He said the government had been considering lifting emergency rule but the recent terrorist acts had delayed the decision. irfan ghauri

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-11-2007_pg1_3