PESHAWAR: Maulana Fazlur Rehman, opposition leader in the National Assembly, on Friday asked the people to make sacrifices for the restoration of the country's constitution which, he said, had been "trampled by generals.""We will have to save the constitution which ensures the implementation of Islamic teachings and protects the democratic, parliamentary and federal system in the country," he told Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) activists who were protesting General Pervez Musharraf's decision to continue holding two offices and the removal of the religion column from passports. He said the constitution wanted the masses to rule the country but the "army generals had deprived the people of their fundamental right".
"It is time to begin a united struggle against the military rulers and such an effort demands sacrifices by the masses," he said. He said that the army actions in Wana and Balochistan were a conspiracy to dismember the country. However, he said, the MMA was fighting for the solidarity of the country. Mr Rehman said a uniformed person could not hold the office of the president, which he added, was the highest seat of moderation and tolerance. "How can a uniformed person trained for war and extremism hold the office of the president," he asked. "That is why we ask Gen Musharraf to shed his uniform and become a civilian president," he said.