PML to approach higher court on govt ouster, Sharif detention

A meeting of the central coordination committee of PML is slated for November 10. It is likely to review various options to challenge the dismissal of the federal government and detention of Sharif since the military coup on October 12.

Haq said the meeting will decide whether the dismissal should be challenged in high court or in the supreme court.

quot;We shall also decide when the suspension of parliament, provincial assemblies and the constitution should be challenged in the supreme court,quot; he said.

He said PML had set up a committee of senior lawyers and they have sent their recommendations to the party leadership and decisions would be taken in the light of their recommendations.

The party will also come up with its reaction to the policies of the military regime, Haq said.

Chief executive General Pervez Musharraf had indicated that the national security council might think over the proposal of a referendum to seek legitimacy for the coup.

quot;We are of the opinion that a referendum cannot be held for an action which the military rulers have already taken. Similarly, no one will be ready to accept referendum under the military rulers because it will be a one-sided affair,quot; Haq said. He added it was up to the supreme court to make any decision in this connection.

quot;The rulers say that it is not martial law. It is also not a full democratic government. It is also not a constitutional government8230;So we shall certainly knock the door of the apex court to get a decision in this connection,quot; the former federal minister said.

On a query about the accountability process launched by Musharraf, he said it was Sharif who had initiated it. quot;We have no objection to the accountability but it should be based on justice. One should not exercise personal vendetta or personal animosity. It should be purely on the basis of justice,quot; he said.