'Consequences if Art 47 invoked

KARACHI (Agencies) - President Asif Ali Zardari, who is in Dubai for health reasons, said he was absolutely fine but doctors are not allowing him to travel back home, reported private TV channels on Friday. The president said how could Article 47 of the Constitution be imposed on him as he was absolutely fine. If it is done, then my manifesto will be Aisay Dastoor ko Main Nahi Manta (I deny such a constitution), the president was quoted as saying. Zardari said that he was absolutely alright but doctors were not giving him permission to travel. Talking to a senior journalist Friday, the president referred to talks of application of Article 47 of the Constitution against him and said how it could be possible, who will constitute the medical board and how it would be formed? Zardari said by the grace of Allah he was completely fine but his children were pressing him for complete treatment and for following the advice of doctors. He said as soon as doctors gave him a green signal he would immediately return to Pakistan. The much talked about article 47(1) of the constitution lays down the conditions under which the President can be removed from his office. Clause one of Article 47 says the President may, in accordance with the provisions of this Article, be removed from office on the ground of physical or mental incapacity or impeached on a charge of violating the Constitution or gross misconduct. For this purpose, under the constitution not less than one-half of the total membership of either House may give to the Speaker of the National Assembly or, as the case may be, the Chairman written notice of its intention to move a resolution for the removal of, or, as the case may be, to impeach, the President; and such notice shall set out the particulars of his incapacity or of the charge against him. If a notice under clause (2) is received by the Chairman, he shall transmit it forthwith to the Speaker. The Speaker shall, within three days of the receipt of a notice under clause (2) or clause (3), transmit the copy of the notice to the President. The Speaker shall summon the two Houses to meet in a joint sitting not earlier than seven days and not later than fourteen days after the receipt of the notice by him. The joint sitting may investigate or cause to be investigated the ground or the charge upon which the notice is founded. Clause 7 of the article provides that the President shall have the right to appear and be represented during the investigation, if any, and before the joint sitting. The constitution says if, after consideration of the result of the investigation, if any, a resolution is passed at the joint sitting by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] declaring that the President is unfit to hold the office due to incapacity or is guilty of violating the Constitution or of gross misconduct, the President shall cease to hold office immediately on the passing of the resolution.

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