Lahore, Nov 12: Pakistan Attorney General Malik Mohammad Qayyum has expressed hope that the emergency may be lifted sometime next month.

Qayyum said the government is responding positively to his advice of waging the least possible interference with the Constitution.

“I understand that the political and legal objective of imposing emergency has been achieved to the maximum; only a specific task of combating militancy and Talibanisation (a reference to the situation in Swat) may be achieved by mid December”, said the Attorney General, adding that the return of democracy and a civilian rule was now a matter of few weeks.

The Provincial Constitution Order (PCO) will stand withdrawn and the 1973 Constitution will be restored to help revive a democratic order and civil rule in the country, Qayyum added.

“I can assure you of full democracy after the elections with all political parties participating by way of a full-fledged electioneering campaign, ” the Dawn quoted him, as saying.

“We believe that the only way out of the present critical state of affairs is that democracy is restored without delay. Considering other expediencies, the President Musharraf’s government is not unmindful of the situation; it is taking all possible measures to satisfy the requirements of the 1973 Constitution”, Qayyum added.

He went on to say that another ‘positive’ development would be President General Pervez Musharraf doffing his army uniform soon after taking oath as president for another five-year term.

“We understand that Musharraf will be able to take oath as president after the Supreme Court announces its decision on the constitutional petitions challenging his eligibility; I suppose that the apex court may announce the judgment within next 10 days, ” Qayyum said. (ANI)