Amendments come under strict scrutiny

The Pakistani military government's think-tank yesterday launched an intensive evaluation of public views on controversial constitutional amendments President Pervez Musharraf proposes to carry out ahead of the October 10 general election.

The National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) said it would prepare a summary of public responses that run into several thousand pages for consideration of the president, who is due to return today from a five-day tour of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and China.

"We have received thousands of faxes. We are also scanning editorials, newspaper columns, statements of political parties as well as views expressed by lawyers, intellectuals and other sections of the society," an NRB spokesman said.

The proposals were unveiled in two parts on June 26 and July 12 for public debate until July 31. The president also held a series of consultations with politicians, newspaper editors, lawyers and people from other walks to discuss his political restructuring plan.

Musharraf has said he would enforce the essential changes and leave the rest of the proposals for debate and decision by the parliament to be elected in October.

He wants to introduce a political system based on checks and balances among main the power centers - president, prime minister and army chief - with the aim of ensuring political stability in the post-election democratic era.

To achieve the goal the package proposes to give the president discretionary authority to dismiss the parliament and prime minister as well as exclusive powers to appoint services chiefs as well as provincial governors.

It also envisages creation of a National Security Council to accord for the first time in the country's 55 year history a constitutional role to the armed forces in national politics. To be headed by the president, the forum will include top military leaders, prime minister, opposition leaders and provincial chief ministers.

Almost all political parties, civil organisations, lawyers‚ associations and analysts have strongly opposed the proposals, but Musharraf has said the "silent majority" supports his plan to lay a solid foundation for sustainable democracy, good governance and economic progress.

Musharraf, who assumed control in a bloodless military coup in October 1999, appointed himself president in June last year. On April 30 this year he extended his presidency for five years through a referendum, which the opposition parties rejected as a fraud alleging massive rigging.

Critics say the proposed constitutional changes are designed to consolidate Musharraf's hold on power and formalise the military's ascendancy over the elected civilian government.

They also contend that the military ruler has no legal right to amend the 1973 constitution, which provides that only parliament is empowered to do so.

The constitution is currently under suspension and is likely to be restored in the modified form after the elections.

In May 2000 the Supreme Court, whose judges had taken a new oath of allegiance under Musharraf's Provincial Constitution Order, validated the coup and gave the military ruler three years to complete his reforms and hold elections to restore democratic rule.

The verdict also authorised Musharraf to amend the constitution without changing its federal and parliamentary character and the government insists that the proposed amendments are in line with the mandate given by the Supreme Court.