PPP vows to repeal 17th Amend

ISLAMABAD - The Central Executive Committee of Pakistan Peoples Party Monday discussed expansion and reshuffle in the federal cabinet, sprucing up the working of the party, striking out the distortions from the Constitution and to continue following the policy of reconciliation by engaging other political forces in the country in decision making.
The CEC meeting held under the chair of President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also the Co-Chairman of the party, at Awan-e-Sadr, also adopted a number of resolutions to strengthen the politics of reconciliation and make the incumbent political dispensation efficient and delivering.
The sources privy to the deliberations of the meeting informed TheNation that the CEC discussed and reviewed at length the issues pertaining to the proposed constitutional reforms, reshuffle in federal cabinet, ongoing military operation against terrorists, PPPs coordination with the rest of the political parties and took important decisions.
The sources further informed that the CEC also decided to induct Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari into politics, change of portfolio of several ministers, abolish the undemocratic section in the Constitution and continue its relations with other political forces in accordance with the Charter of Democracy (CoD).
Addressing the CEC members, President Zardari said the PPP would rid the Constitution of all undemocratic clauses in consultation with other political forces and change the repressive system that had spawned terrorism, militancy and dictatorship in the country.
The meeting which was co-chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani was also attended by Bakhtawar Zardari Bhutto, the daughter of Co-Chairman PPP and President Zardari, as a special invitee.
Spokesperson of the President former senator Farhatullah Babar said that the meeting was the 5th in the series of the CEC meetings held in the Presidency during the last 10 months. The meeting lasted for over 5 hours during which the current political situation and the proposed constitutional amendments were discussed, he said.
The President said that the PPP would redeem its pledge to democratise the Constitution. Some others may have other agendas but the PPP is clear about its commitment to democratic principles and will fulfil it, he added.
President Zardari said that there was a need to undo the 17th Amendment and 58(2)b and reform the Constitution in the light of CoD. After the marathon discussion, the CEC adopted a number of resolutions.
The party reiterated the resolve to continue the fight against militancy to its logical end, besides reiterating commitment to reform the Constitution and make it democratic, federal and parliamentary in character, the Spokesperson said. He said that one of the resolutions said that at present the most serious threat to Pakistan emanated from within rather than from outside and called for addressing the internal security threats to the country urgently.
Following are the Resolutions adopted at the CEC meeting.
The CEC of the PPP reiterates its resolve to continue the fight against militancy till its logical end. We must win this war; we will. The CEC pays tributes to the members of security forces and law enforcing agencies for valiantly fighting and for their sacrifices in the war against extremists and militants.
The CEC also pays homage to the internally displaced persons for the sacrifices rendered by them and vows to take all measures necessary for their safe and honourable return to their homes at the earliest. The meeting reiterates commitment of the party to reform the Constitution, in consultation with all political parties, and make it truly democratic, federal and parliamentary in character.
The 17th Amendment and Article 58(2)b will be undone and the Constitution will be amended in the light of Charter of Democracy (CoD). The CEC resolves to pursue the policy of national reconciliation with a view to collectively finding a solution to the countrys myriad problems.
The issues and problems confronting the nation are so complex and varied that no single party or institution can solve them effectively. A resolution of our problems requires collective national effort backed by all political forces and state institutions. Hence, there is a need to pursue the policy of broad based national reconciliation. While mindful of the external threats and expressing determination to meet them, the party believes that at present the most urgent and serious threat to the country was from within. It, therefore, calls for addressing the issues of internal security threats in the right earnest and on priority basis.
The CEC has noted that the difficult economic decisions taken by the government have started showing results. It salutes the people of Pakistan for enduring the impact of difficult economic decisions and expresses the hope that very soon the corner will be turned around and complete economic recovery will be achieved. The CEC resolves to overcome the problem of unemployment by generating greater economic activity through public private partnership and the building of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs). The process of reinstatement of employees sacked after the removal of PPP government in 1996 will be expedited.
The CEC notes with appreciation that 5th July has been termed as a sad day in the Constitutional history of Pakistan by the Judicial Conference held at the forum of Law and Justice Commission.
The CEC of PPP reposes complete faith and trust in the leadership of Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
It also reposes full confidence in the policies of the government.
Addressing the meeting Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said that the water issue between the provinces would be resolved in accordance with 1991 Water Accord. He said that the Council of Common Interest would also be constituted shortly in accordance with the Constitution.