Leaders congratulate Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: Various political leaders congratulated President General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday for getting the vote of confidence.

National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain congratulated the president and said that the vote from parliamentarians and provincial assemblies showed the confidence of the nation in his leadership and policies.

Punjab Provincial Assembly Deputy Speaker Sardar Shaukat Hussain Mazari said that democratic institutions had been strengthened in the country after the vote of confidence sought by the president.

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi paid tribute to the president and said the reforms would change the destiny of the nation. He said Gen Musharraf is the only leader in country’s history to stand by his commitments and hold general elections before the scheduled time.

He said those who boycotted the session were neither serving the nation nor democracy, adding that they were never happy with any system. “We consider the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) the real opposition with whom we have struck deal on all vital issues,” he said.

The chief minister said democratic institutions were taking root in society while assemblies were functioning according to the aspirations of the masses and all issues had been amicably settled with the MMA. “They often get directives either from Jeddah or Dubai, they have no reasons they are in minority,” Mr Elahi said, commenting on the attitude of other opposition parties.

He thanked members of the House, members of the allied parties and the MMA especially for abiding by the political deal with the government which resulted in resolving the prolonged political stalemate in the country.

Senator M Amin Dadabhoy said Gen Musharraf was a brave general who never compromised on the country’s integrity. He expressed his optimism that the president would continue to strive for progress and prosperity of the country.

Pakiatan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam (PML-QA) Central Vice President and Media Committee Chairman Syed Kabir Ali Wasti said with reposing of vote of confidence by the parliament and provincial legislatures in Gen Musharraf, democracy and the constitution had been restored.

He said on New Year’s Eve it was good news for the nation that President Musharraf had been elected by clear majority.

Mr Wasti said people were happy on his election as they were fed up with the polarisation. He said elected representatives of the whole nation had elected Gen Musharraf and the vote for the president would strengthen economy and improve bilateral ties with other countries in the region. He also praised PML-QA President Chaudhry Shujat Hussain, Prime Minster Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and leaders of other legislatures on reposing confidence in the president. All Pakistan Women’s Association General Secretary Yasmin Dastur congratulated President General Musharraf for securing vote of confidence and said she was confident that the policies initiated by Gen Musharraf would be carried forward by the present government. —APP

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