Released by PML: (N) Central Information Secretary Muhammed Siddique-ul-Farooque at a press conference on December 31, 2004 at Islamabad

The sacked General Pervez Musharraf, along with a few other generals (now retired) usurped power on October 12, 1999, and, after assumption of the office of President with force, declared himself "legal President" through the farce of a referendum. However, he continued to face the problem of his legitimacy. He tricked MMA into a written agreement with the pledge to take off his uniform before December 31, 2004. He confirmed this pledge making Allah his witness in a televised address to the nation and world community on December 24, 2003. MMA believed him and accepted him as constitutional President, and Army Chief until December 31, and helped adoption of the 17th Amendment with two-thirds majority. But Pervez Musharraf betrayed the MMA, as is his nature, and blatantly declared in his speech on electronic media on December 30, 2004 that he would not keep his promise. He accused of MMA of breaking their promises, described his uniform as protector of democracy and Pakistan, and urged the people to accept the decision of the so-called majority that is composed of double dealers, turncoats, defaulters and holders of fake degrees. At the same time he has offered so-called cooperation to the Opposition.

It must be clarified here that the PML (N) does not recognize Pervez Musharraf as Army Chief or President. We believe that he not only has devastated Pakistan but has also weakened the institution of Armed Forces and disgraced them in the eyes of the nation and world at large. It is our considered opinion that presence of Pervez Musharraf is poison to Pakistan and its interests, and that Pervez Musharraf and Pakistan cannot exist together.

Unfortunately, Pervez Musharraf and his camp-followers, whom calling politician would mean an insult to politics, have been indulging in propaganda for past few months that the uniform is a guardian of democracy, and that Pakistan's interests cannot be protected without uniform.

This fact sheet is designed to relate constitutional status of the uniform, letters and spirit of the agreement with MMA, Musharraf's promises, ex-Premier Jamali's stand, the position taken by S. M. Zafar who led government's team at talks and the damage suffered by Armed Forces and the country due to involvement of uniform in politics. It will be proved that the uniform of General Pervez Musharraf is responsible of extreme damage to Pakistan's interests, and that removal of Pervez Musharraf from power as well as leadership of the armed forced is essential to national interests and restoration of the prestige of Armed Forces.

Truth of the charge against MMA
Article 10 of the agreement signed between official team and MMA on December 24 states: "The ruling party and MMA will present a jointly prepared constitutional bill to the National assembly, and both are bound to get it approved by two-thirds, majority of the Parliament before January 1, 2004."

The MMA kept its word, and fully cooperated with government in getting the 17th Amendment approved by two-thirds majority, which, according to the government and MMA, stands as part of the Constitution. As such, General Musharraf's charge against MMA of breaking its promise is totally false.

Musharraf's claim about voice of the majority
Pervez Musharraf says that enjoys support of "majority", therefore the "minority" i.e. the opposition ought to accept the writ of the majority. The fact is that the so-called ruling alliance secured only about nine million votes in October 2002 general elections despite widespread rigging and coercion in favor of its candidates, while Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Muttaheda Majlis-e-Amal and other opposition parties poled a total of more than 14 million votes. Majority of the voters have supported the Opposition, therefore Pervez Musharraf should bow to the will of this majority.

Constitutional status of uniform
Article 63 of the Constitution of Pakistan does allow any government servant, including serving generals, to run for the parliament or assume the office of president, prime minister or minister. Pervez Musharraf, therefore, must take off his uniform in the light of the constitutional restriction.

Oath of armed forces and politics
The oath taken by every person joining the armed forces binds him to uphold act according to the Constitution debars from taking part in politics. Words of the oath are: "I ------, do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan and uphold the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan which embodies the will of the people, that I will not engage myself in any political activities whatsoever and that I will honestly and faithfully serve Pakistan Army (or Navy or Air Force) as required by and under the law."

17th Amendment and uniform
The17th Amendment was passed as a result of a 10-point agreement between the ruling alliance, led by Pervez Musharraf, and MMA. Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and S. M. Zafar signed it on behalf of the government, while Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Liaqat Baloch and Hafiz Hussain Ahmed signed on behalf of MMA. According to this accord, General Musharraf was bound to quit as Chief of Army Staff, and could remain President without uniform.

Solemn pledge of Pervez Musharraf
Following the written agreement on 17th Amendment, Pervez Musharraf appeared on electronic media with a pledge before Allah, the nation and world community that "I have decided to leave the Army Chief post before December 31, 2004. But, it will be up to me to decide about the timing within this period." If General Musharraf really believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment he should bow to His commandments and fulfill his pledge without delay.

Confirmation Prime Minister Jamali
On April 11, 2004 Prime Minster Mir Zafarullah Jamali confirmed Pervez Musharraf's pledge, and said that "he is a man of principles, will honor his commitment at the greed time."

Confirmation by State Minister Hiraj
On April 10, 2004 Minister of State for Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Raza Hayat Hiraj declared in après briefing that any possibility of availing extension by General Pervez Musharraf to continue as Army Chief together with President after December 31, 2004 would be tantamount to "subvert" the Constitution. To a query Hiraj categorically said: "Constitution bars Musharraf to hold two offices after expiry of deadline of December 31."

Evidence by senior lawyer S. M. Zafar
In a letter written in January 2004, General Pervez Musharraf lauded constitutional expertise of S. M. Zafar, who led the government team for talks on 17th Amendment. And Mr. Zafar has stated in his book titled "Dialogue on the Political Chess Board" that according to the spirit of the agreement on 17th Amendment General Musharraf has to take off his uniform in any case before December 31, 2004.

Evidence by MMA leaders
MMA leadership that was a party to the accord on 17th Amendment, particularly Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, repeatedly rejected the criticism of ARD and other opposition parties saying "our greatest success is that we have saved the system with 17th Amendment and ensured that Pervez Musharraf will take off his uniform by December 31, 2004, appoint a news army chief". They claimed that the critics would then realize the importance of their accord.

Quran and sanctity of pledge
Allah Almighty has exhorted the Muslims in Surah Bani Israel saying that the promise must be fulfilled, because they would be questioned about keeping the promises.

Hadis and sanctity of promise
Bukhari has quoted the Holy Prophet saying "a person with three characteristics is a hypocrite even if he prays and fasts and claims to be a Muslim: that he lies when talking, breaks his promise and cheats when entrusted with something."

Social stigma
A person who breaks his promise is considered untrustworthy and a liar in all societies, especially among the Muslims. People do not respect him and avoid hid company and any dealings with him. Thus a person going back on his pledge loses all respect and honor in the society.

Damage caused by uniformed politics in the past
General Ayub Khan laid the foundation of usurped power on October 27, 1958, and he was tricked by the enemy into a sell-out of three rivers. He paved way to dismemberment of Pakistan during his 10-year rule, and departed after leaving power in the hands of another usurper General Yahya Khan, who involved the army in politics leading to the most humiliating defeat of a Muslim army in Islamic history. The event proved that when generals in uniform play politics the army could not defend even itself. General Ziaul Haq again indulged in politics after usurping power and promoted the culture of Kalashnikovs and heroin. He fought a war of aliens in Afghanistan, encouraged corruption, weakened national political parties and strengthened racial and parochial forces. Finally, he surrendered Siachen Glacier to India.

Fiasco created by Musharraf uniform

· General Pervez Musharraf planned the impractical project of Kargil on the strength of his uniform, obstructed resolution of the Kashmir issue and caused another humiliating defeat of the armed forces. In effect, his uniform was responsible of damaging Pakistan's position on Kashmir and setback to the armed forces.

· The uniform of Pervez Musharraf had to retreat in the face of clever diplomacy of Indian Dhoti. He continues to hurt Pakistan's interests with following Indian diktat. Thus the uniform is to blame for retreat on Kashmir issue.

· General Pervez Musharraf has timidly yielded to foreign dictation to weaken the national nuclear program.

· General Musharraf lost his senses after receiving a telephone call, and sacrificed in panic Pakistan's interests for the sake of foreign interests. His uniform became a sign of cowardice instead of a symbol of valor.

· The seven-point agenda announced by uniformed General Musharraf proved a total failure. The uniform turned into an advertisement of failure and incompetence.

· Uniformed General Musharraf has blatantly declared to break his promise of shedding the uniform. The uniform thus has become a symbol of default.

· The uniform of General Musharraf provided protection to proven loan defaulters like Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain; making one of them the president of ruling party, and the other Chief Minister of Punjab.
· The uniform thus protects dishonesty and represents corruption.

· Uniformed General Pervez Musharraf purchased loyalties of 20 PPP MNAs to include them in his aides. The uniform thus has become a shelter for the turncoats.

· Uniformed General Pervez Musharraf continues to use NAB for changing loyalties and winning support of the corrupt for personal in motives. The uniform is responsible for misuse of an institution set up for righteous ends.

· Uniformed General Pervez Musharraf has turned the armed forces away from their constitutional role, and has been using them to protect foreign interests. This has lowered the esteem of the armed forces in the eyes of the people.

· An avaricious uniformed group has turned into a land mafia under the umbrella of general Musharraf's uniform, leading to widespread corruption. Our enemies now mockingly call our armed forces as army of property dealers, meter readers and tax collectors.

· Five years and three months of the rule of uniformed General Pervez Musharraf is the source of price hikes, unemployment, poverty, rising taxes, lawlessness and suicides.

· Uniformed General Pervez Musharraf is responsible for deletion of Qurani verses and Ahaadis from textbooks. He continues to preach immoral ideas, and has been trying to turn the true faith brought by the Holy Prophet into a clone of Emperor Akbar's Deen-e-Elahi.

· During the rule of General Musharraf, innocent people were put in jail and humiliated by NAB, dissenting journalists were forced out of jobs and beaten up, and Shahbaz Sharif was forcibly exiled in violation of Supreme Court ruling. His uniform therefore has abused basic human rights and court rulings.

· Terrorism continues to target mosques, churches, offices, market places, military installations, foreign diplomats and engineers in the presence of General Musharraf's uniform, which obviously has failed to ensure law and order in the country.

· Uniformed General Pervez Musharraf has arbitrarily employed thousands of people at huge salaries in violation of merit, thus causing loss of billions of rupees to the national exchequer.

· Uniformed General Pervez Musharraf unnecessarily changed three prime ministers in two years after the rigged elections, installed the largest and most expensive cabinet in Pakistan's history, while kept the Parliament and Prime Minster powerless. The uniform is the architect of sham democracy.

· Uniformed General Pervez Musharraf formed anti-agriculture policies forcing the country to import wheat, and causing miseries for the farmer community.

· According to confirmed reports, uniformed General Musharraf obtained foreign loans to the tune of 9 billion dollars, thus increasing the debt burden of the nation.

· Uniformed General Musharraf has increased the cost of education ten fold depriving the poor and middle class children of all opportunities of getting good education.

Before General Pervez Musharraf usurped power, the people respected the soldiers as honest, brave, dedicated, law abiding, upright and honorable persons who followed the commandments of Allah and His Prophet. Now they have a different perception due to uniform of General Pervez Musharraf, and this perception may lead to very grave implications. PML (N) wants to rectify this situation, and therefore, believes that that removal of Pervez Musharraf from the army as well as presidency is essential. If he were allowed to continue hold these two offices he would completely destroy Pakistan and its armed forces. PMNL (N) is gratified to note that all patriotic forces, including ARD and MMA, have put aside their minor differences and united to save Pakistan and the armed forces. They are about to call upon the people to rise, and we are confident that 140 million people will come out on the streets to force General Musharraf out of power if he declined to bow to the will of the people. The PML (N) vows to rest until the Constitution is restored and safeguard of national interests is ensured. We are moved by a noble cause; therefore we hope that Allah Almighty will bless us with success.