Islamabad: Opposition parties in Pakistan on June 9 mounted pressure on President Pervez Musharraf to force him to relinquish the office of President. The Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), a conglomeration of as many as 15 Opposition parties, resolved not to accept him as President, according to the 'Online' news agency.

It may be noted that almost all the Opposition parties in Pakistan have joined hands in a bid to restore democracy in the country and their top priority is to see Mascara vacating the office of President.

Under the banner of ARD, the Opposition protests have paralysed the eight-month old Parliament, preventing passage of any legislation since its inception as the first elected legislature after three years of military rule. Not a single bill has been passed so far.

After the Alliance's meeting on June 9, chief of the ARD Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan said, "We don't accept Musharraf as President and will continue our right to protest until the 1973 Constitution is not restored in its original form."

The veteran politician said that the current political crisis could be resolved only if President Musharraf quits power and go for presidential polls in an impartial manner. He added: "the post of the President is vacant and the government should announce schedule for presidential election."

About the legal framework order (LFO), the ARD chief said Musharraf had unveiled Constitutional proposals in the garb of LFO in order to strengthen his presidency and weaken the premiership. The fact that LFO proposals came just weeks before the October elections, was enough to indicate that it was aimed at assuming absolute powers in his own hands. "If the government did not withdraw LFO and restore the constitution, the Opposition will hold rallies and demonstrations," Nasrullah Khan said.

It may be recalled that under the proposed Constitutional amendments under LFO, the President will have the power to sack the Prime Minister and his Cabinet at his discretion.

ANI