Zardari offers to give up spl powers to dissolve Parliament

Islamabad, Sept 20 (PTI) Pakistan's new President Asif
Ali Zardari Saturday offered to give up his extraordinary
powers to dismiss the government and dissolve parliament,
addressing one of the concerns of estranged ally Pakistan
Muslim League-Nawaz.

He sought the setting up of a parliamentary committee to
work out the modalities to take away these special powers and
re-establish the "supremacy of parliament".

P.M.L.-N. leader and former premier Nawaz Sharif had said
before the presidential election that he was ready to accept
Zardari in the top post if he does away with the power to
dissolve parliament, which was effected by former military
ruler Pervez Musharraf through a constitutional amendment.

"Never before in the history of this country has a
president given away his powers," Zardari told parliament in
his maiden address to the joint sitting of the two Houses.

The new President suggested that an all-party committee
should "revisit" the constitutional amendments made by his
predecessor Musharraf.

"Another responsibility rest on your shoulders: this is
the removal of the distortions in the constitution made by
successive dictators to prolong their rules," he said.

"As head of the state I wish to make it very clear that
the president and the government must always seek guidance
from the parliament in carrying out our duties," he said.

"We are committed to upholding the sanctity of the
constitution, the supremacy of the parliament and the rule of
law," Zardari said.

"Democracy in Pakistan has finally been restored but it
is still a tender sapling which needs nurturing before it
becomes a great sheltering tree," said Zardari, who led his
P.P.P. to victory in the February 18 general election after
the assassination of his wife last year.

"There are still elements who want to derail (democracy)
yet once again. With faith in democracy and the national
reconciliation as envisioned by (Benazir Bhutto), we must
remain vigilant against such elements."

Zardari urged all political forces "to join hands and
work together in harmony and not discord" to fulfil the hopes
and expectations of the people. "We need to banish forever the
politics of destruction and confrontation," he added.

"As someone who has walked from the death cell to the
presidency, let me assure you nothing is impossible. I can
steer the country out of the darkness with the help of this
government," he said.