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The government has introduced a package of constitutional amendments including the restoration of sacking powers of the President. What are your views about this?

Views must be focused and to the point to avoid unnecessary editing and should not exceed 250 words. No views without the full name and address will be entertained. 

Please send your opinions at
vf@jang.com.pk

    Your Opinions     

If we take a dispassionate view of the political history of Pakistan, it is clear that  a lack of balance between the various power centers has been the main reason for the  military coups, and counter coups  leading to the present sad state of affairs .  

In a  series of sordid episodes, first started by Governor General Ghulam Mohammad, followed by Sikander Mirza, Ayub Khan, Yayha Khan, Bhutto, Pakistan has suffered immeasurably. The people of Pakistan at large have never matured politically . There has been never a true democracy on a  Western model or a true dictatorship on a Stalinist or Maoist pattern.. the entire Pakistani administrations have been formed and run on a hodge podge adhoc basis. It is time  to introduce and implement far-sighted  reforms for a stable Pakistan.

keeping in view the very low education, dire poverty extreme religious fervour,   general apathy, indifference  and fatalistic nature of the people, President Musharraf has done his best to steer the nation to the right direction and run the state on a moderate ,Islamic,  progressive and democratic path. 

The creation of a grass roots democracy  by election of District Governments  is a  case in point. His efforts to give due representation to women . joint elections, and  laws stopping crooks and illiterate politicians from elections are laudable. No wonder, feudal, bank defaulters, and professional political thieves are desperate to torpedo his reforms. This is a time of reckoning for Pakistan. Every patriotic Pakistani should support President Musharraf in his efforts to cleanse Pakistan of the entrenched scoundrels and scalawags, once for all. 

I vehemently support his efforts  of national reconstruction, integration and   constitutional reforms. At the beginning of Twenty First Century Pakistan needs a patriotic, honest and smart leader like him. The two so-called "main" political parties are nothing but a bastion of power hungry ,corrupt  and despicable politicians, whose main aim is to loot the exchequer and run Pakistan to ground. Like the devil quoting the scriptures, these politicians who early on begged the army to take power, are now talking about democracy and people's will  in order to defeat the reforms and feather their nests. 

The constitutional amendments are needed right now to bring a stable govt and policies for the country’s betterment. For the time being,  these amendments are necessary.
Aamir Ahmed
Karachi 

The much talk about constitutional changes will I feel Pakistan is a total fiasco. Since day one, our elders didn't bother to follow democratic norms. In a pure democratic government there is absolutely no role of army or power sharing between President or P.M. 

In Pakistan, the establishment didn't trust the civilian governments and it thinks that it is the only so called legible and authorized body to rule and protect the country. Plus the mess created by civil/military establishment with the connivance of  mullahs has deepened the crisis.

 The supreme court time and again had validated all the illegal and unconstitutional steps taken by the military dictators. I firmly believe that this country cannot survive
until and unless a true peoples government is installed according to the wishes of the people and not by the so-called ISI or NRB. 

People and Institutions (army) in country like Pakistan do not respect its constitution as it is not being taught in schools. Army personnel and civilians equally read and teach the constitution and this has to be started from school level. One has no right to change it according to his dreams.

When it is clearly written in the constitution that one who destroys or amends without legal protection or put it in absentia is subject to death penalty. Why we don't punish the culprits. 

Mustafa Abbasi 

The constitutional amendments package being pushed through contain some useful items for amendments. Many others, nevertheless, are also embodied into the package which will not benefit the country at all.  

N.M. Abbasi
Lusaka/zambia
 

The amendments proposed by the president are aimed at bringing stability to the democracy. As far as the checks on the prime minister are concerned it is quite logical that a check must be placed on the person exercising the authority in order to prevent him from being autocratic and in the case of parliamentary setup it is the prime minister who has full control over the government. Those who argue that these amendments are totally in favour of the president are deliberately ignoring the fact that the parliament will be equally empowered to impeach the president. In fact, the course of dissolving the parliament or impeaching the president may perhaps never be followed as there will be the forum of national Security Council where all the differences will be discussed without resorting to any unpleasant course.

Kashan Awais 
Islamabad.

The constitutional package is good and is in the interest of nation. So far as the issue of amending the constitution is concerned, I feel there is nothing wrong in doing so as long as it is done in the interest of Nation.

Muhammad Athar
Dubai, UAE   

Pakistanis of UK are delighted with the constitutional amendments made by the Musharraf government. 

Munir Akhtar
UK 

A couple days ago I came to know that some of our politicians have challenged the graduation condition in supreme court and some people have challenged the decision of the president's ordinance regarding the limitation for qualifying the office of prime minister and chief minister.   

To be honest the nation is tired of these garbage politicians. Educationally, we do not want donkey rider politicians to run our country. Secondly, we do not want the monopoly of a certain group of people in the government. There are highly educated and skilled people in our country rather than those wadheras, Malaks and Choudries. The nation wants educated leadership not illiterate and inefficient. The whole country should well come these decisions.

Hakim
California USA 

I think that is right decision as the PM and President should  not stay at
their post or take part in the election after two terms. 

Waseem Yousef
Australia
 

Amending the constitution is not the job Mr. Musharraf. 

Junaid Farooq
Karachi
 

We do not need constitutional amendments but respect of the law by the ordinary citizens of Pakistan as well as the civilian bureaucrats and Politicians. And, above all the most importantly by the Military - as they have always considered themselves above all kinds of civil law and constitution in Pakistan.  

Can we have some constitutional amendments to limit the role of military to what they are actually supposed to do - defend the country from external threats, and let the citizens deal with the internal threats through civil means and democratic institutions. 

K Niaz
Turkey 

Constitutional amendments are necessary to occur for the betterment of general public of Pakistan and also to stop and restrain some so-called politicians who have been looting the country and its innocent people for several years, such politicians are eager to contest the general elections and after winning they may drive the country again toward financial crisis and bankruptcy. 

I would like to warn all those Pakistanis through this forum, who are supporting such so-called politicians to stop this practice because our country is not capable for suffering such crisis again and over again and history will not forgive such people in future. 

In addition, I wish to convey my message to those who are likely to contest the up-coming elections, they must not forget that there is no room for such democracy in Islam which had been practiced in Pakistan or practiced across the world. 

They look through the perspective of the example of four caliphs, none of them asked the Muslims of that primary days of Islamic society to cast vote in their favor neither those caliphs were eager for that. But, it was the Muslim society that had put this responsibility upon their shoulders and they were urged to accept that. 

I would end up my expressions by only one sentence that” These so-called politicians are not looking to have a stake in the country but to have a steak to nourish themselves.

Munir Ahmed Butt 
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
 

In my opinion this package is ideal in present circumstances
KHALID JAVED 
Bahrain 

It seems now that whoso ever comes into power in Pakistan, always decides to change the constitution in his own favour to give themselves more power. And, this is sheer nuisance. 

London
SF Ali

The constitutional amendments are just to cover the interest of army rulers and not of country.

Jehan Zeb
Rawalpindi

Stability is most important for Pakistan. The Army as well as the politicians are power hungry people. They insult the constitution turn by turn. The enemy is waiting at borders to exploit power struggle in Pakistan. Musharraf should have left the constitutional amendments to the elected representatives and should have got elected as President by the Parliament. One man's decisions will not bear fruit. It did not work for Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan and Zia-ul-Haq. Again, it would not work for Musharraf.

Safdar Rizvi
Toronto


This is with reference to the opinion in this section regarding your on-going question. well said so, Mr. Syed A. Mateen Its the people of Pakistan, who need to wake up. As a nation, what we want. We want to continue to stay under dictatorship, or we want the govt. elected by the people. 

As noted, why don’t we look to the east and take a lesson. The nation next door has prospered under democracy, constitution is secular, common people much happier than in Pakistan. We need democratically elected secular minded leaders who can promise good, peaceful future for common folks.
Shilmo

Although, it is needed to amend the constitution at the moment to relieve the ambiguities, but whether it is the right solution of the constitutional and political problems we had in the past is a controversial issue. Making the prerogatives to the president and binding the powers of the elected governments behind, is not a rational to solve this complex political problem. We have seen in the short history of Pakistan the same precedence, but those were not the effective solutions of the constitutional issues.

So I think revival of pure parliamentary system is the dire need of the time and army must take part only to defend the country rather than rule / ruin the parliament.

Dr MB Aslam
Liverpool, United Kingdom 
 

The system is just fine but if dictators try to amend the constitution with unconstitutional requirements where do we expect to find ourselves but nowhere? 

Hasan Altaf Saleem
Lahore, Pakistan

The constitutional package is tantamount to putting the politicians in the bind. Less power in the hands of democratically elected government means less perk and privileges for the elected few who (mis) rule the country.

Dr. A. P. Sangdil
Oslo, Norway

Pakistan does not lack a good legal system but lacks respect for one. President Musharraf is concentrating too much power in his hands. He may be right in doing so because he is (presumably) a person who is honest to a cause of rebuilding the country, but let us not forget that he will not be around forever. Therefore, when that happens, the question that needs to be asked is "Who will monitor the monitor?"

Umar H Endrabi
Washington, DC

There is no doubt in my mind that the constitution of Pakistan must be amended and must be amended now.

Salah ud Din, Chief Engineer
SPC, Abu Dhabi Municipality

Looking through perspective, it looks that Army Brass of Pakistan are not quite ready to give up their personal control over the running the daily affairs of the government.  In democratic society, Army's job is to protect all citizens from both internal and external evil forces, and allow the institutions of government evolve to build their strength through attracting people of integrity from the society. In view of current situation in Pakistan, it would be good to have Presidential System rather than Parliamentary system of government for Pakistan. 

If you are going to stay with Parliamentary system, than let first President be selected by the Parliament, Provincial councils, Supreme Court Judges, Army Brass, Election Commission Judges, Reserve Bank officials, Religious leaders, Bar Association members, Doctors and Teacher Union members.  In short, let president first be selected by representatives of all parts of the society before he earns the Power to Dismiss Prime Minister.  Just going through this suggested exercise people of Pakistan will find it the best for themselves because they love their country and they think for themselves.

Arvind Saklikar
Sunnyvale, CA

General Musharraf should hold elections and go back to barracks. There is no justification for continuation of military rule. Democracy is a process and must be allowed to continue on sound basis.

Wajid Jawad

This package of constitutional amendments will ruin the democratic nature of the constitution. These amendments are basically aimed at perpetuating the illegal authority of Pervaiz Musharaf. Because some how or the other he has been made to belief that he is the only honest, loyal and competent person in Pakistan. Basically he is trying to save his skin. 

In my opinion the graduation condition is highly objectionable in a country like Pakistan where literacy rate is so low. Further it is also very stupid to think that intelligence and competence has some relation with 'degree'. This is basically to create a new ruling class. 
Jabbar
USA

The problem of sharing power in the government has been a long critical issue between the Democratic Governments and the Military Rulers. There seems to be no viable resolution in this matter. If the powers lay with the President, the Prime Minister thinks that he is unable to run his government affairs smoothly, and if the powers lay with the Prime Minister then the President feels uncomfortable and thinks that he is not more than a rubber stamp. Why should there be a tug-of-war between the President and the Prime Minister since both of them work for Pakistan.

In the last elections, Nawaz Sharif won the two third majority, but during his first term of Premiership, he was sacked by the then President Ghulam Ishaq Khan on various charges including corruption. But when Nawaz Sharif had the second chance to become the Prime Minister, he repealed the 8th amendment of constitution by using the strength of two-third majority of votes in the National Assembly.

Similarly, during the Zia-ul-Haq's regime, he was so much pressurized by the political leaders that he could not find a way except to nominate Mohammad Khan Junejo as Prime Minster. So sharing powers between the two is rather a difficult task to maintain as both the Presidents or the Prime Ministers in the past could not establish a harmonious as well as cordial relationships between them.

My argument may be quite different with the views of the other people. The first thing for all the Pakistanis, which also includes the President and the Prime Minister is the survival of Pakistan. Then comes the other issues, whether they are sharing of powers or the matters how to run a government jointly and smoothly.

The matter of sharing power between the President or the Prime Minister should be the secondary issue. The primary issue should be how to evolve a system, which should absolutely be fair and transparent, where no one between the two should exaggerate from their powers. Both the President and Prime Minister should work jointly without accusing each other.

I would like to quote an example of our neighbouring country-India. They have more or less same issues and similar problems in running the affairs of the government, but how does the Indian President go-along with his Prime Minister? I have never heard that any Indian President has ever sacked his Prime Minister during the term of the Parliament. Although many scandals of the corruptions comes in the lime light, but Prime Minister is only removed in a constitutional way, and I have never heard that Indian army has ever ruled the country. So these are some good points which we should be studied, so that democratic process in Pakistan should also run as smoothly as in India.

I am sure if we try to evolve a proper and workable system in Pakistan in respect to the powers of the President and the Prime Minister, the issue of balancing the power could be resolved in an amicable manner.

Syed A. Mateen
Karachi, Pakistan
pakistan@attglobal.net

General Parvez Musharraf wants to remain in power and he will bend to any extent to  perpetuate his power. He came under Saudi pressure and handed over Nawaz Sharif because he thought this would remove a political threat. He received a call from Bush and changed the Afghan policy because he thought he would win over Americans.

Vajpayee read through him and invited him over to Delhi. He was so eager and stupidly confident that he thought that he could beat the Indians .He underestimated the Indians. The Indians  had the better of him. They gave him all the protocol but sent him back empty handed. The Indians told the world that they had tried to resolve matters with Pakistan by going to the extent of even talking to Musharraf the man who had stabbed them in Kargil.

Musharraf is again making the same mistake of offering to talk to India without preparation and  conditions. Pakistan has to have something in return. Unilateral overtures and concessions always invite more pressure. Now that he has given in on Kashmir the next target would be our nuclear programme.

When Musharraf  decided to side with Americans he said that he had done so to save Pakistan’s vital interests, Can he now spell out what exactly these are before we hear again that he has again compromised on something.

He should quit hand over the government to a National government. After all he has himself accepted that there was rigging in the referendum. If he is not willing to constitute an enquiry and tell us about the people responsible for rigging, the October elections will become suspect. Nixon was not removed for stealing but for covering up in Watergate scandal, If Musharraf does not expose those involved in rigging he would be guilty of cover up.
Rehman
Lahore

The constitutional amendments are a mixed blessing. The intellectuals welcome the amendment regarding the educational qualifications of the candidates. We welcome the amendment for compulsory for party elections. As it had become a custom to nominate life time chairman of political parties which is non-democratic and is more autocratic. This practice among the political parties had annoyed a large number of voters. The main political parties of Pakistan namely PPP and PML have become family oriented serving the Bhutto family and Sharif family respectively rather than serving the common interest of people.

The Amendment regarding the sacking of PM is just too dictatorial to digest on the pretext of saving the democracy. If the governing quarters of Pakistan don't believe that an elected PM is reliable why they are going for this big exercise. As we have seen in past this will create a tussle for absolute power between Prime Minister and President. Why it is so that whosoever gains control over the government tries to empower his own chair rather than the country. We are fed up with the experimentations. We request to adopt a real political system so that true democratic values are upheld for betterment of the country and nation.

ZARQA MUFTI
LAHORE, Pakistan

So far the country has been ruthlessly robbed in the name of democracy and left completely bankrupt. Looking back at the track record of the outgoing Pakistani governments,  we need a person of integrity and we should assign special powers to him to make a decision to sack the government when not performing well contrary to the interest of our country. I believe we should select a person and assign him this authority, and  that person should be the president of Pakistan. To this day Mr. Musharraf has performed well to the expectation of the people of Pakistan. He should have the power to sack government if he deems necessary.

Considering the instability prevailing in the region, Pakistan needs a democratically elected Government who would have more moderate and balanced approach. It needs not be necessarily pro-India or pleasing the USA. But dictatorship in its covert or overt form should be condemned by all Pakistanis. If these amendments do take place, it will be a step in backward direction.

Kishor Choudhari
UK


This move of the military ruler of Pakistan reflects that Mr. Pervez Musharraf’s often repeated claim that he is following the Quaid is totally bogus and spiritless. He is trying to make him the most power ruler. If it happens, then it will lead the country to devastation

Brijen K. Gupta
Rochester, New York

My opinion about the package of constitutional amendments is that some of the amendments are appreciable but others specially dealing with the power, check & balance are showing that government is rather interested in finding a way to keep the incoming government in hand and under its heel. By current amendments it have been more clear that government wants dictatorship rather than democracy in the country.

Muhammad Kashif
Karachi.

These amendments are not good for our Pakistan.  Army not to be allowed to interfere in state affairs

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