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Zardari
Must Give-up Powers Usurped By Musharraf
 In
order to restore Pakistan’s sovereignty President Asif Zardari
must give up powers usurped by general Musharraf through 17th
amendment to the constitution. These powers, regardless
whosoever holds them, determine Pakistan’s level of sovereignty.
In his first address to the Parliament
President Asif Zardari announced his intentions to give up
powers that make him almost true copy of general Musharraf in
president’s office, however, so far neither he nor PPP dominant
parliament has made any positive move in this direction.
Why President Asif Zardari and PPP dominant
parliament are remaining mum on this issue? Do they intend to
keep the system established by general Musharraf intact or they
will return president’s powers to Prime Minister and make
president a figure head of state as intended by the
constitution.
So far all indicators lead towards President
Zardari’s and PPP dominant parliament’s agreement to maintain
the Musharraf system. Had President Zardari and PPP dominant
parliament any intentions to abolish usurped presidential powers
they would have acted and made some move in that direction, but
their lackluster approach shows they are least interested in
this matter.
If President Zardari and PPP dominant
parliament do not end 17th amendment what does it
mean for Pakistan?
In simple terms it means the system US was
trying to set-up in Pakistan is in place and running. It is the
system that has been already placed in Egypt, Algeria and to
some extent in Turkey.
The hallmark characteristic of this system is
ruling without governing. Under this system, real powers remain
with rulers whereas day to day governors govern without powers
and bear all the responsibility for all the problems occurring
due to lack of govern-ability.
This system is a recipe for disaster.
Instability, lawlessness, poverty, inflation, and economic
disasters are the main ingredients of this system.
If President Zardari and PPP want to keep
Pakistan instable, lawless, poor, inflationary and economically
disastrous they should maintain this system. If they are
interested in making Pakistan a sovereign, stable, prosperous
and stronger country they should immediately get rid of 17th
amendment.
Can President Zardari and PPP dominant
parliament undo Musharraf’s system? It depend how much political
will they have to set Pakistan free from the shackles of the
forces that designed Musharraf’s system for Pakistan?
Pakistan can realize its full potentials only
if it stays on the path outlined for it by its founder
Quad-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, parliamentary system with
continuing political process
Incase President Zardari and PPP dominant
parliament do not end 17th amendment they will invoke
long term instability in the country which may endanger
Pakistan’s existence as a country.
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