PESHAWAR, Aug 3: The Tehreek-i-Istiqlal has supported the proposed constitutional package of Gen Pervez Musharraf’s government and has called upon the government to give representation to the parliamentarians in the National Security Council so that its affairs could be run in line with the people’s aspirations.

Speaking at “Meet the Press” programme of the Peshawar Press Club on Saturday, the newly-elected central Chairman of the party Mr Qaisar Ahmad Sheikh said the new parliament should be empowered to endorse or repeal any decision taken by the NSC.

“In the presence of the National Security Council, the army would not dismiss the elected assemblies and there would be a system of checks and balances.

The NSC, however, should have the representation of the parliamentarians,” he said.

He said his party also supported the amendments aimed at striking a balance between the powers of the president and the prime minister. The formation of the NSC, he added, would allow the assemblies to complete their tenure, he said.

To a question, Mr Sheikh said the SC had empowered the president to amend the constitution according to the changing environment. He, however, said his party believed in the supremacy of the parliament and the democratic institutions.

He said the graduation condition for contesting polls would also leave a long-lasting imprint on the country’s politics because it would enable the educated lot to make to the assemblies and do legislation aimed at the country’s development and prosperity.

He said his party would enter into electoral alliance with the link-minded parties.