Islamabad: Pervez Musharraf will be pardoned, and not penalised, according to the Constitution if he steps down from his dual post, says Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, head of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD).

"ARD does not accept General Musharraf either as a President or as an Army chief," he told ‘onlinenews.com’ in an interview. "There is no example in the world of a person getting elected as President through a referendum and since his tenure as Army chief has expired, he has been retired," the Nawabzada affirmed.

In his opinion, Musharraf had given himself an extension after his retirement from Army chief's post in an unconstitutional manner and added that he would have to vacate both the posts.

Spelling out the ARD's stand, the Nawabzada said even if Musharraf takes off his uniform, he would not be accepted as a President. Moreover, he has to wait for two years after retirement to become the President.

Answering a question regarding Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal's offer to make General Musharraf a constitutional President, he stated, "Musharraf says his holding of two offices is imperative but he would never take off his uniform as he has not given a date in this regard. Musharraf fears that if he sheds his uniform, he would face the same end as General Ayub Khan did."

Answering another query, the ARD leader said, "We are also against giving authority to the President to dismiss the Prime Minister and the Cabinet as this right should be given to Parliament only.

ANI