ISLAMABAD, 22 September 2007 — Thousands of Pakistani opposition activists yesterday staged massive rallies against President Gen. Pervez Musharraf in a turbulent start to the countdown to presidential elections set for Oct. 6.
The rallies came as the Supreme Court continued hearing three petitions challenging Musharraf holding two offices.
A.K. Dogar, the counsel for the Lawyers’ Forum, argued before the court that Article 241-A of the constitution does not allow the president to retain any government service job.
Strict security measures were adopted by the Federal Administration in view of Jamaat-e-Islami’s call for mass mobilization during the hearing of this high-profile case.
A procession led by MMA leaders Liaquat Baloch, Qazi Hussain Ahmad and Hafiz Hussain Ahmad carrying placards and flags surrounded the top court building.
Qazi Hussain Ahmad made an appeal to the people of Pakistan to launch a countrywide movement against Musharraf.
Later in the afternoon a meeting of the All Parties Democratic Movement was held here with Raja Zafarul Haq, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) in the chair. All the party heads minus Maulana Fazlur Rahman of the JUI were present.
Meanwhile, Musharraf appointed a new spy chief, setting up the likely succession should he win the poll and then honor his vow to quit as army chief.
Demonstrators chanted “Go Musharraf, Go!” outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad and in several other cities, a day after election officials announced the date when Musharraf will seek another five-year term.
The opposition had on Thursday pledged to boycott Parliament and launch nationwide protests if Musharraf, a key US ally who seized power in a coup in 1999, seeks election while still in uniform.
Musharraf yesterday appointed Nadeem Taj as the chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, which is engaged in the hunt for Al-Qaeda militants as well as providing internal security.
The move is significant because Taj replaces Ashfaq Kiyani, who is a strong contender for the top army post should Musharraf step down.
Analysts say he is keen to appoint a loyalist as his successor to ensure he himself does not fall victim to any military intervention when he becomes a civilian leader.
— With input from agencies
