By amending the National Command Authority Ordinance, President Asif Ali Zardari has taken another important step forward to implement the Charter of Democracy (CoD) in its letter and spirit.
According to the ordinance, the president has delegated decision-making powers of the NCA to the prime minister. Democratic institutions and parliamentary democracy was strengthening in the country, however, it was being wrongly portrayed by some groups having vested interests as weakening of the PPP-led government.
Dispelling the impression by some news analysts with regard to the amendment to the NCA as the surrender of power by the president. Initiative was the fulfillment of the PPP's manifesto inspired by the dreams of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as well as the guiding principles of the CoD.
The government was working to achieve the roadmap agreed by the two main political parties of the country in the Charter of Democracy, signed by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif on May 14, 2006, in London.
Extracts from the CoD, reaffirming "our commitment to democracy and universally recognised fundamental rights, the rights of a vibrant opposition, internal party democracy, ideological/political tolerance, bipartisan working of parliament through a powerful committee system, a cooperative federation with no discrimination against federating units, the devolution of power, maximum provincial autonomy and the empowerment of the people at the grassroots level."
"The emancipation of our people from poverty, ignorance, want and disease, the uplift of women and minorities, the elimination of Kalashnikov culture, a free media, an independent judiciary, a neutral civil service, rule of law and merit, the settlement of disputes with neighbours through peaceful means, honouring international contracts and laws/covenants and sovereign guarantees to achieve a responsible status through a foreign policy that suits our national interests." Some media spin doctors are trying to mislead the people by spreading rumours, speculations and wrong interpretation of facts to defame the leadership of the present government. The present government has achieved a number of landmarks in line with aspirations of the people and the spirit of CoD leading to an enduring democracy in the country.
Some key successes achieved by the government which included the initiation of consultative and reconciliatory form of government by taking the elected representatives onboard on all important issues like the war on terrorism, military operation against terrorists and empowerment of the parliament through constitution of committee system to the extent that the leader of the opposition has been appointed as the chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The constitutional committee under the leadership of Senator Mian Raza Rabbani comprising all parties represented in the parliament to review and suggest amendments to the constitution distorted by the successive military and non-representative regimes.
The Committee had so far held 29 rigorous meetings to deliberate upon all contentious provisions inserted in the constitution through 17th amendment by the previous regime. The president has taken keen interest in expediting the process of committee proceedings and has already indicated to have the consensus document to be presented to the parliament in December.
This is going to be another landmark achievement of the present government by taking the course of consultation for consensus-building on key issues of national importance, the anti-government spin doctors are trying to belittle the achievements of the government with regard to progress made by the country. The restoration of peace in Swat and Malakand and handling of the IDPs. The government had launched a number of schemes for alleviation of poverty, empowerment of women and employment to the unemployed.
The launching of Benazir Income Support Programme worth Rs70 billion, Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme in more than 80 state owned enterprises, through which 12% shares worth more than Rs110 billion h
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