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Pakistan

Sweeping reforms to reduce president's powers

Pakistan has submitted a major package of constitutional reforms to parliament that will strip President Asif Ali Zardari of key powers.If the amendment is passed as expected, the president would no longer be able to dismiss the prime minister, dissolve parliament or appoint the head of the country's armed forces.

Reuters
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The legal change would end restrictions that stipulate that prime ministers can stand for only two terms and give the power to declare an emergency back to the premier.

The amendment reverses constitutional changes introduced by former Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf and is expected to easily secure the two-thirds majority from parliament required to pass it into law.

Zardari congratulated rival political parties for agreeing the package and called on parliament to adopt the bill “soon”.

“I congratulate the entire nation on this 18th amendment,” Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told the lower house of parliament. “It is historic. Some people think that the prime minister will be stronger now. But in fact these constitutional amendments will strengthen institutions.”

The reforms also give greater autonomy to Pakistan’s provinces and will see North West Frontier Province renamed as Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa.

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Analysis: Correspondent Rana Jawad

Judith Prescott

The package will now be debated by lawmakers, while Zardari is scheduled to address a joint session of parliament on Monday.

An editorial in the Dawn newspaper hailed the move as “an enormous triumph” for the Pakistani president, who has faced pressure over corruption claims.

“It is difficult to think of another instance in which a politician has given up power voluntarily, whether he needed that power or not,” it said.

Correspondent Rana Jawad told RFI that Zardari had little choice but to accept the changes if he wishes to retain his credibility.

“This was part of Pakistan Political Party’s election pledge – that they would undo the changes that changed the complexion of the constitution from a parliamentary, federal constitution to a presidential, unified constitution.

“So this was a promise that the party of President Asif Ali Zardari made to the people of Pakistan and I think he could not run away from it.

“There is a lot of celebration, jubilation, and a sense of achievement on the part of the politicians in the country. The party is making proud claims. There is celebrations in the streets also and people do feel that the confidence in the political system is being restored.”

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