Lahore, August 24: As the Opposition PML-N targeted Yousuf Raza Gilani for “letting the dictator off the hook,” the Pakistani Prime Minister on Sunday acknowledged there were differences between the PPP and the Nawaz Sharif-led party on the issue of trying former president Pervez Musharraf for treason.
“Nothing has been decided as yet… The matter of Musharraf’s trial under Article 6 of the Constitution (for treason) has not ended yet,” Gilani told reporters while visiting the residence of Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali.
Gilani said there were differences of opinion on the procedure to be adopted for Musharraf’s trial but legal proceedings will be initiated against the former president.
He dispelled the impression that his relations with the PML-N had turned sour after he announced that proceedings for Musharraf’s trial will be initiated by his government only if parliament passes a unanimous resolution seeking the trial.
“I enjoy good relations with the PML-N and I hope (party chief) Nawaz Sharif will not be disappointed,” he said.
The PML-N has been demanding Musharraf’s trial on charges of treason after the Supreme Court declared last month that the 2007 Emergency was illegal and unconstitutional.
The PML-N said yesterday it was disappointed over the stance adopted by the PPP, “especially Prime Minister Gilani,” saying setting the condition of a unanimous resolution means “letting the dictator off the hook”.
–Agencies