Islamabad: Terming as "unconstitutional", the swearing in of military ruler Pervez Musharraf as President for another five years, Pakistan's main political and religious parties have demanded fresh Presidential elections as per the procedure laid down in the 1973 Constitution, which involves approval by Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies.

"If General Musharraf wants to continue as President, he would have to get vote from the Parliament under the 1973 Constitution," the Prime Ministerial candidate of the six- party religious alliance, Muthahida Majlis Amal (MMA) Maulana Fazlur Rehman said.

Questioning the legality of Musharraf taking oath for a new five-year term at a hurriedly arranged ceremony on November 16, he said, the Legal Framework Order (LFO), issued by Musharraf to declare his election through a referendum this year as well as conferring powers on himself to dismiss the Parliament was not part of the 1973 Constitution under which the Parliament has taken oath.

"LFO is not part of the Constitution and it will never be acceptable to us. We believe in only one Constitution and that is of 1973. LFO would have to be presented before the Parliament and if it is approved by the House, it will become part of Constitution as all other decisions taken outside the House, have no value," he said.

MMA Parliamentary leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed said, "LFO and all other Ordinances issued during the last three years of military regime, can never be a part of the Constitution till the Parliament approves them."

PTI