Monday, July 6, 2009

Zardari for repeal of 17th Amend, 58(2b)




ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday that there is a need to undo the 17th Amendment and Article 58(2b) and “reform” the constitution in light of the Charter of Democracy.

Presiding over a meeting of the central executive committee (CEC) of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) – along with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani – at the Presidency, Zardari said the PPP would rid the constitution of all “undemocratic clauses” in consultation with other political forces. The president said the PPP would deliver on its pledge to “democratise” the constitution.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar later said, “The five-hour meeting discussed the current political situation and the proposed constitutional amendments.”

The PPP CEC also adopted several resolutions following the discussions. Babar said that the party had reiterated its resolve to take the fight against militancy to its logical end.

He said that according to one of the resolutions, the most serious threat to Pakistan emanated from within rather than from outside. “The party ... called for addressing internal security threats on priority basis,” he said. Babar quoted Gilani as saying that water issues between provinces would be resolved in accordance with the 1991 accord.

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