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President Pervez Musharraf has legalized the presidential power to dissolve the National Assembly. What is your viewpoint?

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 Opinion

Keeping in view the performance of the previous political leaders, particularly Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, the restoration of presidential power to dismiss the Prime Minister and dissolve the National Assembly is absolutely right, as it is necessary for the political leaders of Pakistan.

This constitutional amendment will stop the derailment of the democracy and ensure a good governance. What is wrong if there is a system of the checks and balances for the smooth running of the government?  The politicians should not forget their past mistakes that left the nation hundreds of years back.

The restoration of the presidential power is in the broader interest of the country and the nation. The politicians of this country dislike this amendment because of the fact that they do not want to see checks and balances in their country.

Noor Elahi
Saudi Arabia

General Pervez Musharraf has taken a right decision to restore the presidential power to dissolve the National Assembly. The so-called champions of the democracy even do not know the definition of the real democracy. Fact is that they have only lust of power that is why they are seen forming alliances. May Allah Almighty save us from those politicians who looted the national exchequer ruthlessly.

The President should withdraw the package of constitutional amendments immediately and leave it for the next parliamentarians of the country.

Shakur Ahmad
Karachi


I think this is an attempt to strengthen illegal rule. We are the most unfortunate nation of the world because we are being governed by the army rulers.

Might is right. It is okay, as Musharraf, being a human, can make mistake. It is our luck that he is not amending whole constitution.

Saeed Qureshi
Riyadh


The President of Pakistan is performing a good job as it is in the best interest of the country.

Dr Rafi Chandio
Texas 

General Pervez Musharraf has done nothing new, but he has repeated the past history of the country by following the footsteps of former army generals - Ayub Khan and Zia-ul-Haq. He has no right to dissolve the National Assembly elected by the people of the country.

I am in favour of President Pervez Musharraf's decision to restore article 58 2 (B) of the constitution. It is the need of the hour to keep an eye on the deeds of the politicians as they have a corrupt background.

How it would be possible that a military man will perform his two jobs sincerely and honestly in case of the tension along the border with India. Why military heads have always been interested in performing the civilian jobs in Pakistan.

The decision is good but it would be best if the Supreme Court be taken into the confidence while dissolving the National Assembly.

Rehan Akhtar
Wah Cantt

The record of our elected represented have always been pathetic. I believe General Musharraf has taken a right decision.

Syed Z Rehman
Virginia

The previous governments of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz sharif looted the national exchequer blindly in the name of flourishing a real democracy in the country. The President’s decision is absolutely right to carry out checks and balances.

Saleem Khan  
Boston


No leader in this country has so far been sincere to redress the grievances of the common man. Fact is that all leaders have only the lust of power as they usually seemed saving their chairs by amending the constitution.

Asif Chaudhry
Lahore

After the end of President Musharraf’s power, who will check this country? Is this amendment will remain intact.

Syed Shoaib
Chicago

Whether restoration article 58 2(b) of the constitution is needed or not in this country. President Musharraf should restore presidential power to dissolve the National Assembly through the parliament, but not through unconstitutional procedure.

The claim of President Musharraf that the Supreme Court empowered him to amend the constitution is not satisfactory. 

President Musharraf has taken a right decision as it will save the country from those who are raising the hollow slogans of the democracy.

General Pervez Musharraf is doing the same job as the previous Generals did. I strongly oppose Musharraf’s this decision.

Salman Sarwar
ravian02@hotmail.com

President Pervez Musharraf’s has taken a good decision as it will help improve our politicians.

President Musharraf’s decision to restore artic 58 2(b) of the constitution for dissolving the National Assembly will shatter all the hopes of the people who voted their elected representatives for solution of their problems. 

In the past, the dissolution of the assemblies has brought nothing good for the country. The country need a real and stable democratic process at least for a decade without any interruption, so that people’s problems could be solved on priority basis.  

Haroon Awan
Toronto 

I appreciate General Musharraf’s decision to restore presidential power to dismiss the Prime Ministers and dissolve the National Assembly, as it is in favour of the country like Pakistan.

Shakeel Waseem
Lahore


President Pervez Musharaf has taken good decisions on socio-economic and foreign policies. This decision of the President is also in the best interest of the nation.

Talib Hussain
England 

I agree with General Musharraf’s decision to restore presidential power to dissolve the National assembly. He has taken a right decision.   

Dr Asim Ali 
USA
 

The decision of President Musharraf to restore presidential power to dismiss the Prime Minister will bring outfall of his own government. 

Ali
Islamabad 

I think the president is going towards the situation like confrontation era of 90s in which the President and the Prime Minister played the cat and mouse game.

The power to dissolve the National Assembly should be delegated to the elected representative of the people rather than the President.

Raja Baba Naseer
Rawalpindi

President Pervez Musharraf is performing his job excellently. Pakistan should have a democracy based on checks and balances.

S Vilayat Ali
London
 

General Musharraf has taken right decision by restoring the presidential power to dissolve the National Assembly.

The checks and balances are the need of the hour in this country because of the fact that the most of the rulers in the past looted the national exchequer ruthlessly. 

Noman Hussain 
Toronto
 

The amendment package enforced by President Musharraf has been prepared keeping in view the democratic and political history of the country. This would help keep to carry out checks and balances in the country. 

srkhan@kfupm.edu.sa
Dhahran
 

The behaviour of political parties in the country has never been in positive and they could not flourish the real democracy in the county. President Musharraf has taken a right decision by restoring the article 58 2(b) of the constitution.  

Altaf Hussain 
USA


The restoration of presidential power to dismiss the National Assembly has become the need of the hour to keep an eye on the wrong acts of the politicians. 

Mohammed Rafiq Seja
Jeddah


Despite the implementation of presidential power to dissolve the National Assembly and role of armed army into civil affairs in the last 14 years, checks and balances never seen in this country.

This act of the President would raise the rate of the crime in the country. 

Khusro Rashid   
Texas
 

The President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf,  has taken a right as it is in the interest of the country. 

Ahsan Mohyuddin
USA

I support General Musharraf for restoring presidential power to dissolve the National Assembly.

Anwar Zubair
FT LAUDERDALE USA

It appears that the new constitutional amendment by President Pervez Musharraf will further deepen Pakistan's economical and
political crisis.

The establishment of the National Security Council with President as its chairman will create unrest among the people of the province. 

Zahed M Yaqub               
Lahore 

General Pervez Musharraf has restored the presidential power to dissolve the National Assembly in the best interest of the country.

Mohammad Manzar Husain
Florida 

I lauded General Pervez Musharraf at a time when he ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. I hoped that the military takeover would help the country usher in a new era of the development, but the act the President to restore the presidential power to dismiss the Prime Minister has shattered all my hopes.

This unexpected act of the President will definitely destabilize the next Parliament, democracy and economy of the country further.

Fawad Fayyaz
Saudi Arabia


The country has been looted in the past ruthlessly, so it needs checks and balances in order to save the national exchequer, while the act of President Pervez Musharraf to restore 52(b) is right as this would help oust the corrupt rulers from the country.

Javed Mateen
javed57@hotmail.com


Almost all the elected representatives in the past have failed to solve the problems of the people as they remain ever busy looting the national exchequer with both hands.

The constitutional amendments are therefore necessary to keep an eye on the acts of the politicians in the best interest of the country.

Awais Qureshi
Hong Kong


I think this is the right and good decision of President Musharraf as the real democracy in this country can not survive without checks and balances

Rahman5306@aol.com
Houston


General Pervez Musharraf should not interfere into the democratic process by amending constitution.

If he is sincere to the nation he should restore the democracy in Pakistan, so that the institutions of the country could be strengthened.

Amir Ali
Karachi


The dissolution of the National Assembly by the President is a different thing. The fact is that the country needs sincere leadership.

A Hussain
Canada


The past democratic and military rulers have proved that a country like Pakistan needs the system of checks and balances.

I therefore fully support General Pervez Musharraf for restoring presidential powers to dissolve the National Assembly.

S Bukhari
USA


If President General Pervez Musharraf wants all powers concentrated in his hands, then what is the need of holding the general elections. Why does he not go for open dictatorship rather a disguised one?

Zarqa Mufti
Lahore


It is a great unfortunate for the people of the country that they have not seen even single stable and real democratic government over the past 55 years.

This all happened because of the fact that only one person grabbed all powers to rule the country in a manner that only pleased him. President Pervez Musharraf has also done the same. 

Muhammad Asghar Janjua
Lahore


I think making any new amendment in the constitution is the sole right of the elected representatives of the public.

We have a parliamentary government system wherein all the powers are vested with the cabinet and the elected the Prime Minister. After the restoration of the article 52(b) of the constitution, the next Prime Minister would be like a ‘rubber stamp’.

Mohammed Ashfaque Koraal
Dhahran


We should work as a national team instead of one-man-show. The power of dissolving the National Assembly should not rest with the alone President Pervez Musharraf.

 Faisal Khan
Los Angeles


This act of General Pervez Musharraf will create a situation like in Iraq and Palestine. The job of army leaders is to safeguard the national borders rather than to muddle up the sate system.

Tariq Ehsanullah
Toronto


President General Musharraf has taken right decisions by restoring 52(b) article of the constitution.

Mirza Karamat Baig
Toronto


President Pervez Musharraf has taken right steps as he wants to serve the nation sincerely. He should continue ruling the country as long as possible.

Nasir Mohammed
Yanbu, Saudi Arabia


General Pervez  Musharraf  has taken right decisions so far to solve  socio-economic and political issues  facing the  country. But, his decision to amend the constitution as far as to make himself too powerful to dissolve the national assembly on his own accord is absolutely wrong under any legal definition.

Saeed
Atlantic City


Every country and region has its own dynamics, so does Pakistan. In Pakistan democracy has to be tailor-made in line with the country's statistics such as level of education, the poverty, the ethnic and religious bend and the role of military in the politics of the country over the years. If we realistically consider the above factors, the answer will become very simple and straight to us all. 

By legalizing the presidential powers to dissolve the parliament, the President of Pakistan has taken the first but daring step towards getting the country rid of hypocrite society that we have been reduced to over last many a year. Unfortunately, in Pakistan hypocrisy has become like an integral part of our moral values. 

What President Musharraf has in the past two and half years achieved or at least tried is to curb this tendency of being hypocrite. These amendments to the constitution including the amendment 58 ( 2 ) B is a step in the right direction and in the sheer interest of the nation. To me it does not matter whether any amendment is made by a bunch of jokers in the parliament or by single sincere and honest person, as long as the objective is of National Interest. 

Muhammad Athar
Dubai, UAE
anp@emirates.net.ae

I support General Pervez Musharraf for restoring presidential powers to dissolve the National Assembly and dismiss the Prime Minister.

The decision of Musharraf to introduce checks and balances in the country through this constitutional amendment deserves to be appreciated.

Fact is that no honest politician should be afraid of the presidential powers to dissolve the National Assembly and dismiss the Prime Minister. 

Khwaja Mohammad Ashfaq
Karachi 


The amendment in the constitution by General Prevez Musharraf will further destabilise the federation and support the American New World Order.

Saleem Janjua
Toronto    


The rulers during their two democratic governments misused their powers in the country and proved that they are unable to run the country without checks and balances.

The presidential powers to dissolve the National Assembly and dismiss the Prime Minister are necessary to serve the people of the country in a befitting manner.


Haider Mahmood
Jeddah


President Pervez Musharraf is doing right. The checks and balances in the country system are the need of the hour. 

The leaders of various political parties have even not flourished the democracy in their own parties in a true spirit, then why they are crying for the restoration democracy in the country.

Attaullah Khan
Texas


The corrupt politicians continued to rule the country and looted it in the past, leaving the nation helplessly to only watch them.  

President Pervez Musharraf has a sense and experience of the past, so his powers to dissolve the assemblies are required for this country to go smoothly on the path to the real democracy and national development.

Khadim Hussain
Lahore


The powers of the President to dissolve the National Assembly are unnatural and undemocratic. The President’s these powers are aimed at forming a puppet government, so that he could continue ruling the country for his own designs.

It has been observed over the past political history of the country that both civil and military rulers could never tolerate the opposition parties.


Aftab A. Qureshi      
Manila


General Pervez Musharaf is doing nothing but taking Pakistan to a path of secularism and he is now more dangerous with the powers that he is keeping.

Imran Khan
London, England
 

The president of Pakistan General Pervaiz Musharraf has taken a right step. 

Azhar Saeed
Karachi
 

I am with the President in his decision. 

R.K.Chhabra
Hyderabad India
rajkumarc@eth.net
 

We are so unfortunate that for the last 55 years we have not found our direction.  This country was liberated with the blood of millions of people in the name of Islam.  We have heard so many different slogans from different leaders to make this country a new Pakistan.  We have heard slogans from 'roti, kapda aur mukan' to Nizam-e-Mustafa.  But, all those slogans not only hurt the poor economically but also spiritually.  

I am proud to be a Muslim and Pakistani but when we hear about corruption, terrorism, gang rape, murders and other evils in our prevailing in our country we feel shame and sorry.   

Poor is getting poorer.  It does not matter for those poor whether it’s a democracy or a military regime, because no one ever looked after their miseries.  They have been suffering since the birth of this nation and will keep suffering.    

Now let's see what the president has in his 'pitari' for the poor.  Now he has the powers and means to change, he has nothing to blame anyone else for his any failure in future if it comes to pass.

Muhammad Azam
Canada
 

Legalization of the presidential power to dissolve the National Assembly should be encouraged by the citizens of Pakistan as it will facilitate the president to take the right steps at the right time.

I personally think that when the country is in the hands of such a courageous &
loyal leader then one should not worry rather be confident. 

Zoobia

I think he is committing the biggest crime against Pakistan and it's people. He has played badly around with the constitution and amending it to achieve his insane, inhumane, selfish and extremely egotistic agenda.

The President of Pakistan General Prevaiz Musharraf had no right to make amendments in the current constitution of Pakistan. The parliament and representatives of the people of Pakistan are responsible to look through these changes, if necessary for Pakistan. The single-person-dictatorship should has nothing to do with it.   

Khawaja Schkiel
Toronto, Canada 


That’s a great job done by the President.

Mehr Kazmi

Evolving a governing structure around a single entity may not be a wise step. However, we also have two points to analyze in order to determine if Pakistan would like to take this Musharraf-oriented risk.

1) Past history of politicians and their ability to govern Pakistan. The track record of Musharff, his ability of governing the country, contribution of his team.  
2) Are we ready for American-type democracy or should we set up a pre-democracy stage?

Pakistanis are very unfortunate to have governments that ruined the country many time over in past thirty years. And left the people of the country poor, uneducated, unhealthy, and destroyed the economy of the country. The politician were incapable of running the country and exploited Pakistanis in the name of Islam, democracy, provincialism, ethnicity and any tool they found to convert "a nation into tribes." They failed us miserable. Therefore, it would be greater risk to let the ball go in their court again. It is the failure of political parties, which brings army into play.

The way Musharraf steered the country out of the most complex crisis of the century, Pakistanis believe in his leadership and sincerity. We may be a taking a chance to allow him to have extra ordinary power; but, I believe it is well worth it. I am sure that the current set up will be slightly altered in next five to ten years. But at this time we need to have a leader with a proven record who can closely monitor the governing authorities and should have power to punish them severely if they act wild, even if it takes to suspend assembly and punish the people in power to make an example out of him/her.  

Adeel A.Musharraf
Washington, DC
 

I agree with Gen. Musharraf's decision to keep special power to dissolve National Assembly.  After all the bitter experiences of the past corrupt governments of Muslim League and PPP, this step was necessary to safe guard the interest of this poor country.    

We cannot afford allowing these thugs and robbers any more to again loot and plunder national wealth and destroy our country.

Shakil Ahmed
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 

In my opinion he must not have done.  

Nayyar Ahsan
Jeddah


I am not a Pakistani National, but have tried to keep in touch with the political and economical development of the region. Knowing  Pakistan and its history of 50 years , I think under the present circumstances, President Musharraf 's constitutional amendments  package will help bettering the political  and economical deteriorated condition of last  more than 50 years to  the right direction. 

Baqar Al Lawati
Muscat Oman

A trustable President should be authority to dissolve the assembly as this would work as a check and balance on the misuse of parliamentary power.

Mohsin Hameed Siddiqui  

President Musharraf has taken the right steps to ensure the continuity of the democracy in Pakistan.  We are confident and optimistic that under his leadership Pakistan will make progress and change the image of our beloved country overseas.

Dilawar 

I hope our current President will not try to act and behave like Gen. Zia. He did more damage than good to the country. And I also hope that our president is able to fulfill all his promises that he has made with the Pakistani nation.  

Faisal Mahbub
Toronto, Canada

Well, that's good to have this power because looking at the past shows us that no one can be trusted and that is why if the Prime minister and his party again start messing around the country like previous times then at least the president can take a step and dissolve the government.

On the other hand it is a lot of power with one person but again President don't have much control like Prime Minister so the chance for him to abuse this power is less. And this will tend to be a viable check on the party, which comes into the power and starts to abuse its power later.

Muhammad Assad Sayyed
Houston, Texas, USA

It appears that the new constitutional amendments would further deepen Pakistan's political crisis, as they not only lack moral legitimacy but also public support. General Musharraf is so unsure of its durability that he would not risk placing it before an emasculated parliament even.

It is really unfortunate that even after 55 years of our independence the rulers of our country could not find a straight path on which the country was suppose to be driven long time back. Several governments came and went but the miseries of the masses, who are the real strength of our country, have increased many folds and it seems to be that they will no more be able to find a way to come out from the dark clouds in the absence of a proper system, which is yet to be written.  

Every ruler thinks that he or she is doing a great job, but at the end of the day the result come out to be contrary to that. We talk a lot about the democracy, but unfortunately the people who want to bring the democratic change in the country do not act themselves democratically. Democracy is not some thing, which is to be imposed on the people, but it requires a long time to flourish in the country according to the wishes of the masses, where people should feel right to express their opinion, argue on the bright and dark aspects of the prevailing laws in the country and should have power to eliminate the black laws.  

By reviving article 58-2(b) and inserting a new clause 152-A for the creation of National Security Council, the present government has in fact made it difficult and almost impossible for the democracy to survive in the country on the sound basis.  The main problem of our rulers is their insatiable lust of powers that they want to see in their hands, so that whenever they think appropriate they should act in exercising their powers. The previous rulers have failed in opting for the right path for the people and the present ones want to govern the country according to their own wishes. 

The President has regained the powers either to dissolve the entire newly elected National Assembly or just the Prime Minister on the recommendations of the National Security Council, and by virtue of the recent constitutional amendments the government of the day has put the people of the country again in a tightened fix, who from time to time stand in the long queues on the election day to select the candidates their own choice, so that their miseries and woes can be solved.  

The real problem with the rulers what I see is just the power which they want to exercise whenever they feel that things are not going according to their own wishes. The right to debate on the prevailing laws by the future parliament in the country have been denied even before its existence and the Prime Minister as chief executive of the country will be having no say in his government, as he will be removed any time by the President.

The creation of the National Security Council and its recommendations from time to time to the President will not pave the way for the democracy to flourish in the country, but its advices will act contrary to the working of the future parliament. One should not expect much once the elections are held and transfer of power will being to take place, as on October 10, 2002 people will be selecting members for a so-called powerful parliament, who will only act according to the wishes of the President and the National Security Council.

SYED A. MATEEN 
Karachi, Pakistan 
E-mail: pakistan@attglobal.net

It only shows how desperate Musharraf is getting.  

Daniel Devasagayam
India 

The real motives are slowly but surely unveiling. It is very unfortunate for Pakistan.

Anwer Chughtai

I consider the new amendments to the Constitution as illegal.  I do however believe that constitution needs to be amended, but through proper channels. Why should Army come and muddle up with the constitution, just amend some parts of the constitution in favour of it.    

Tanveer A. Naeem
Mississauga, Canada 
 

I disagree with the presidential power to dissolve the assembly. An assembly is elected by majority of the people of Pakistan. How a man with little majority can dissolve the assembly. It must be unjustified. 

If the President has the power then what is the need of NSC.  If NSC will check the issues then what is the need of assemblies.

M. Sarfraz
Karachi
 

One has to know the reason and if the reason is genuine, the president should dissolve the National Assembly for the good of our country.

There should also be a recourse for the National Assembly to fight back if for no good reason the president has taken such a drastic action. Let the supreme court of Pakistan make a judgment.

Syed A. Basith
Ontario, Canada
 

I believe that the government’s decision will go a long way in bringing back direly needed checks and balances to Pakistan’s political system. 

A viable system of checks and balance is essential for Pakistan's economic and political well being. Our history shows that a purely British style parliamentary system is not workable in Pakistan. We need a system that works for Pakistan under the given our circumstances.  

It is unfortunate that political parties, along with other groups have not learned anything from our past mistakes.  Given the constant corruption, incompetence and disregard that has been showed by our elected representatives time and time again is proof that we need a system of strong checks and balances. 

The government’s decision to bring checks and balances into a system must be appreciated and supported.  If those elected perform their duties honestly, keeping the interest of the nation on the top priority, then they should not have to worry about being ousted from parliament.

Ali Mian
CANADA
 

Its naked use of coercive power by Gen. Pervez Musharraf. What else you can expect from a dictator.

Sanjay Sharma

Might is right

Nazir Ahmed Mughal,
Sialkot,  Pakistan
 

The revival of Article 58(2))(b) is the right decision. It will prevent military coups and suspension of the Constitution as it happened three times in 1990's. If the prime minister and the party in power are incompetent and corrupt there must be a constitutional way to dissolve the legislature.  

Contrary to apprehensions, the president will not act impulsively. In case he misuses his power without justification his action may be challenged in the apex court as it happened when Nawaz Sharif was removed and the National Assembly dismissed. The Supreme Court invalidated the decision of Ghulam Ishaq Khan. 

The president is not a non-elected person. He is elected by a large electoral college composed of members both houses of Parliament and members of all the four provincial assemblies. It is only fair that he should have some constitutional powers. We do not want a dummy president like Chaudhry Faza-i-Ilahi Chaudhry

If the president misuses his power under the said Article he may be impeached and removed from his office. The constitutional provision for his impeachment will deter him from acting irresponsibly.

Professor Mukhtar Ali Naqvi
 8712, Scenic Oak Court
Orlando, Fl. 32836    USA
 

The past of the politicians in Pakistan is worst and a sane person can not trust them at all, at least for next few years it is very good that General has this authority in his hand. 

Dr Nasir
Malaysia                                                                        
 

Man what is this do we have to go through 10 to 15 military years again it is very clear Gen. Musharraf is willing to do any thing to stay in power. I want a free and democratic Pakistan and have my opinion considered even if i chose a gay member.
Talal Tarar
Montreal qc ca  
 

The President has been empowered to dissolve the assemblies because of certain inherited weaknesses. The most obvious one being misuse of authority by the parliamentarians. Pakistan has gone through a tremendous amount of tragedies through these assemblies and, unfortunately, through their disillusions as well. Although it is sad for the President to have these powers, the necessity remains there because of fragile democracy existing in Pakistan. The greatest danger is if these powers go into the hands of a tyrant and hypocrite who has no sympathy of any kind for the country. That would be the saddest moment for our country. May Allah keep our country ever alive and prosperous.

N.M. ABBASI
LUSAKA/ZAMBIA

Despite of all his so called claims for stabilizing and strengthening the federation of Pakistan, Musharif has entirely disappointed the nation, particularly the backward and deprived provinces of the country.

His finalized constitutional amendments plan seems to be a plan for his personal security and benefit. He could do nothing in connection with the Provincial autonomy .He neither touched the Council of  Common Interests nor National Finance  Award Commission. He has proved him-self a man of status quo. He is going to bring up a parliament which will remain on the mercy of the Establishment. The coming Prime Minister or government would not be able to do the things according the wishes of the people. There is nothing positive for the poor nation in the new constitutional package.

Shafique Rehman Shakir
Hyderabad, Pakistan


In my opinion whatever President Musharraf is doing is in the favour of Pakistani nation.
We should be proud of him and support him.

Zafar Wasti
Houstn Tx, USA

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