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Musharraf may withdraw two controversial amendments

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has indicated he may withdraw the two proposed amendments empowering the president to appoint the prime minister and reduce the term of National Assembly, pointing out that only 'essential and immediate' amendments to the Constitution would be finalised.

Musharraf said the rest of the amendments would be kept pending for the National Assembly to debate after it is restored following the October general elections.

"We feel there is some opposition against the proposed amendment, which gives powers to the president to appoint the leader of the house. Therefore, we are considering withdrawing it," he told diplomats, intellectuals and legal experts in the studios of Radio Pakistan on Thursday.

The government would also withdraw the amendment that seeks to reduce the term of the National Assembly from five to four years and that of the senator from six to four years, he said.

He also assured that members of the majority party in the National Assembly would have the right to choose the leader of the house.

Referring to the 11 years of democracy that preceded his military takeover in 1999, Musharraf said certain essential amendments were necessary 'to undo the bad experience of the past'.

Claiming that the response of the public to the proposed amendments 'lends support to the government to go for minimal essential amendments to the constitution', he said these would be made 'logically and pragmatically with an open mind'.

Musharraf also said that if the elected National Assembly rejected these amendments 'we will take this seriously' adding he would not allow 'malafide intentions to amend the constitution but if the intentions were good we will see'.

He also made it clear that though the prime minister would enjoy the full executive authority, he would not be allowed to indulge in corrupt practices and would be a 'responsible' person.

He claimed that amendments introduced by the assemblies in the past were made on short notice and for personal and party interests.

The proposed amendments have been condemned by political parties, lawyers, activists and observers with many saying that they are a 'mutilation' of the 29-year-old constitution and drastically alters Pakistan's parliamentary style of government by turning it into a presidential system.

But Musharraf insisted the Supreme Court had given the regime the right to amend the constitution in its May 2000 ruling.

"The Supreme Court has authorised the government to amend the constitution and we will exercise that power in national interests," he told the Radio.

On his views about the election of the President, Musharraf said he would 'cross the bridge when it comes', adding he believed in the 'constitutional and democratic process and would take a democratic course'.

He also assured the nation that the October elections would be held in a 'fair and impartial' manner.

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