President to surrender 58-2(b)

LAHORE-President Asif Ali Zardari has decided in principle to abdicate his power to dissolve National Assembly and the Provincial Assemblies, and he will make a formal announcement in this regard during his address to joint sitting of the Parliament on March 28.
According to PPP sources, the President has also made up his mind to end Governor's Rule in Punjab, and he may make the decision public in the same address.
'If President Zardari relinquishes his power to dissolve Assemblies, he will become first elected President of Pakistan to give up his own powers ostensibly voluntarily', commented a party source who was confident that President would forego his powers under 58-2 (b).
Earlier, in his maiden address to joint sitting of the Parliament last year, President Asif Zardari had announced that he would soon surrender his powers under 58-2 (b).
'Never before in the history of this country has a President stood here and given away his powers', Zardari had then affirmed amid loud desk thumping by Parliamentarians.
Zardari had also asked the Parliament at that time to form a multi-party committee to review the controversial 17th Amendment, saying that days of Constitutional deviations were over as Parliament was supreme.
But other considerations later prevented him to take such a decision. Now, according to sources, Zardari has made up his mind to fulfil pledges he then made before the Parliament in his first address to the Parliament.
The sources said that PML-N leadership had also been taken into confidence about these Presidential announcements to be made during forthcoming joint sitting of the Parliament. Prime Minister Gilani and PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif also discussed the issue during their recent meeting held at Raiwind, Lahore.
The sources close to President Zardari, however, insist that there should be a balance of power between the offices of President and Prime Minister. They believe that President should not be a mere titular head.
The Nation has learnt that under advice from his advisers, President Zardari wants to retain the powers to appoint services chiefs and the governors, something in conflict with Parliamentary system in which Prime Minister is all powerful to take important decisions.
The PML-N also demands complete revocation of the 17th Amendment in the Constitution to bring it to the position of October 12, 1999 when Pervez Musharraf staged a coup against an elected govt headed by Nawaz Sharif.
President Zardari is also expected to announce some confidence building measures in the light of Charter of Democracy (CoD), a document, which will now serve as the basis of future relationship between the PPP and PML-N, the sources further told this scribe.
Meanwhile, it has been learnt that immediate lifting of Governor's Rule in Punjab before court decision on Sharifs disqualification case, will not go well with the PML-N top leadership, as, in that case, Governor will have to invite majority party to form govt and they will have to introduce a new candidate for the office of Punjab Chief Minister, something which may not be liked by Sharif brothers.
'Sharifs don't want immediate change in the status quo in Punjab till final verdict of the apex court on the review petition regarding their disqualification, because it does not suit them', said a PML-N source seeking anonymity.
Haq Nawaz from Islamabad adds: Sources, close to the Presidency, told TheNation that the President's address to the joint session of both the Upper and Lower Houses would be based on the policy of reconciliation under the changing political environment and some possible announcements including a schedule for lifting of Governor's Rule in Punjab and reaffirm his commitment to fully back the implementation of Charter of Democracy.
"The focus of the President's speech will be on one year's performance of the PPP government, first year of Parliament, CoD, his point of view on restoration of judges, a special relief package for Balochistan, tribal areas, Qazi courts in Swat, NWFP, government stance on war on terror and economic situation," they hinted.
The analysts hope that the President would have smooth sailing during his speech mainly due to his close aides timely interactions and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani's meeting with PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif and former Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif.
They said the President would try to cash in on the issue of restoration of judges as a dream of the slain PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. "Mr Zardari wants to restore his image as a prudent politician and a popular leader," a political source noted.
On peace accord with militants in Swat and other tribal parts, the President is likely to explain the government's position on the militancy issue and the plan to combat the trend. He will also talk on the Nizam-e-Adal Regulation and will also allay the apprehensions of the Provincial Government and the peace deal brokers.
During his Balochistan visit he is expected to consult the Provincial Government and the nationalist leaders on the proposed relief package for the Province.
The address, which is a constitutional obligation for the head of the state, will be of great importance not only for the beginning of the new Parliamentary Year 2009 but the Western capitals will also be interested to hear about the political stability and Mr Zardari's stance on the war on terror.
APP adds: President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned the joint sitting of the Parliament on March 28 at 4:00 pm in the Parliament House. The President has summoned the joint sitting in exercise of powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 54, clause (1) and (3) of Article 56 of the Constitution, said a press release issued here on Wednesday.