Musharraf and Article 6

The Upper House passed a resolution on Friday, calling for a trial of former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf (Retd) under Article 6 for abrogating the constitution.

Calling the resolution an historical one Senator Raza Rabbani told the media men that Musharraf was an illegally self appointed President and a usurper and that he and his party never accepted him as the President of Pakistan.

If that was the case what is the legal status of the Prime Minister Gilani and his cabinet ministers belonging to all major political parties of Pakistan who were administered the oath of their offices by this illegal president?   Could an illegal usurper “legalise” their ministerial appointments  by swearing them in?  By the same virtue could their all official acts and orders carried out during their stay in the office be called legal?  Could someone more learned shed some light on this legal issue please?

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)