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| July 25, 2002 | Thursday | Jamadi-ul-Awwal 14,1423 |
Only parliament can amend Constitution, seminar told
QUETTA, July 24: Representatives of all main political parties, except Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid-i-Azam) and National Awami Party, at a seminar here on Tuesday rejected the proposed constitutional amendments announced by President Pervez Musharraf and said no individual had the right to amend the Constitution.
Leaders of Pakistan People’s Party, PML, Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party, Balochistan National Party (Mengal), Jamhoori Watan Party, BNP (Awami), Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Jamaat-i-Islami, Awami National Party, PML(QA) and NAP spoke at the seminar organized by the ANP.
They strongly criticized the military government for disfiguring the 1973 Constitution by introducing amendments to prolong the rule of Gen Musharraf.
They underlined the need for getting united for the restoration of real democracy and Constitution.
ANP chief Asfandyar Wali urged political forces to unite for saving the country’s future. He said his party had told President Musharraf in the recent meeting that no individual had the right to amend the Constitution, as it was the right of an elected parliament.
He said the Supreme Court had no right to empower any individual for amending the Constitution.
He said the amendments would block the way of political parties of smaller provinces, which would be dangerous for the country. He said the establishment should abandon efforts for making the centre strong.
The PMAP chairman said the country was passing through its worst crises.
He said that despite registration of treason cases against PMAP leaders they would continue their politics and would not compromise on the rights of the small nations.
He held civil and military bureaucracy responsible for disasters faced by Pakistan and urged all political parties to get united for the restoration of people’s rule through their elected representatives.
He underlined the need for a new Constitution in which the rights of all nationalities should be ensured.
JWP Secretary-General, Khuda-i-Noor said the Supreme Court had no right to give power to anybody for amending the Constitution as it was the right only of an elected parliament.
He suggested that the political parties should launch a struggle for the removal of President Musharraf, who was rejected by the people in the so-called referendum.
BNP(M) Secretary-General Habib Jalib Baloch said the people would not allow Gen Musharraf to amend the Constitution.
PPP leader Jamal Jogezai rejected the proposed package and said the rulers wanted to prolong their rule. He said the PPP would continue its struggle against undemocratic forces.
He said the armed forces had no right to rule the country.
Former Senator Tahir Bizenjo of BNP(Awami), Balochistan JUI President Mohammad Khan Sherani, Balochistan JI General Secretary Abdul Mateen Akhandzada, Balochistan PML General Secretary Khalid Dogar and vice-chairperson of Balochistan chapter of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Zahoor Shahwani, also rejected the amendments.
However, PML(QA) General Secretary Malik Sarwar Khan Kakar criticized the role of political parties. He supported the proposed amendment package and said it would help in eliminating hold of some families on politics. He suggested that 12 provinces should be established in the country.
The NAP’s provincial president, Raziq Bugti, urged the political parties not to reject the whole package and adopt those sections which were in the interest of the people and the country.
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