PESHAWAR, June 29: Criticizing the proposed constitutional amendment package, the Peshawar Bar Association stated here on Saturday that the package was aimed at introducing presidential form of government in the country.

A meeting of the association, presided over by its President Sher Afgan Khattak, unanimously adopted a resolution, stating that if the package was adopted it would end parliamentary form of government and the prime minister would become a puppet.

The meeting decided to arrange a seminar on the package for which prominent lawyers would be invited from across the country to express their opinion.

The meeting was convened on a requisition filed by Ayaz Khan advocate. Secretary-general of the association, Naeem Jan Malik initiated debate on the package. The participants put forward their objections to the proposed package. They stated that through the said package massive powers would be delegated on the president and he would turn into a monarch whose orders could not be challenged by any person.

The participants stated that if these amendments were allowed to be introduced the parliament would become subservient to the president. They said it was strange that the president would be empowered to dismiss a prime minister, his cabinet, and the National Assembly. Moreover, they added the governors of the provinces would be appointed by the president in his discretion, which meant that he would not be answerable to the prime minister.

The lawyers also criticized the formation of National Security Council, stating that it would be above the parliament and the federal cabinet. They asked when everything would be done by the president and the NSC then what was the need of the parliament and the prime minister.

The speakers claimed that the proposal of giving the right of dual vote to the members of senate in joint sittings of the parliament was only aimed at deceiving the smaller provinces as even if senators cast two votes the dominance of Punjab could not be reduced.