Islamabad, July 03: With his proposed constitutional amendments coming in for bitter criticism from mainstream political parties and media, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has decided to hold a series of consultations with a cross-section of society to hear objections. Announcing this after a cabinet meeting here today, Pakistan's information minister Nisar Memon told reporters that Musharraf would begin his consultative process from later this week. The president is expected to meet editors, leaders of friendly parties as well as community leaders, Memon said.
The proposed amendments, conferring special powers to the president to sack elected prime ministers and parliament and providing role in the government to the country's armed forces through the formation of military-dominated National Security Council, are expected to be finalised and promulgated after July 31. The controversial amendments were released for a debate two weeks ago. Channels between the Musharraf government and political and religious parties appeared to have completely broken down after their refusal to attend his all party meet convened to discuss the Indo-Pak tension few weeks ago.
The political parties, specially the 15-party umbrella group Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), have demanded Musharraf's resignation.
Musharraf's decision to hold consultations follow reports that the government may bar top three political parties -- Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz Sharif) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement -- from contesting the general elections on the grounds that the leaders of the parties were convicted by courts for various charges. Bureau Report