Dawn.com invites readers to debate current affairs in this forum.
On Thursday, President Asif Ali Zardari called upon the government to take the appropriate steps to implement the Charter of Democracy. The CoD has many points on its agenda, including the removal of undesirable powers to the president that he enjoys under the 17th constitutional amendment as well as the restoration of the constitution as it stood in 1973.
President Zardari has described the CoD as ‘our compass in a rough sea’ and a guide to Pakistan’s democratic future. Do you think the implementation of the CoD will help strengthen national democratic institutions? What impact will the implementation of the CoD have on relations between the PPP and PML-N?
Time is now for the political parties (all) to work for “what they say”. All agreements must be obeyed and executed in their true spirit
Let PPP prove by doing what they signed for while not in power
These actions, for sure, will improve their image as savors of Pakistan
One of the signatories of the CoD made herself Chairperson for life and no party election has ever been held. Now the party is waiting for her son to grow up to take over the Party. Is this democracy?
The 17th Amendment contained some beneficial changes e.g. increase in number of seats in the NA, increase in women’s seats and reduction of the voting age. If we have to go back to the 1973 constitution will these changes also have to be reversed?
And finally, under what constitutional clause was the NRO enforced?
I agree completely with khalid
Question should be what the CoD does towards improve law & order/justice, correcting wrongs being committed on a daily basis, remove evils from our country…
AS a matter of fact this document can create harmony in country because both major parties claim to be implemented. I think president Zardari is going in right direction and will improve its popularity in the region.
Best of luck for sweet Pakistan.
COD is a clever diversion. As long as the choice for Pakistani voters remains the failed leaders of the past, unpatriotic, self-centered and corrupt to the core, democracy will remain just a word that such leaders throw around with abandon but are far from practicing.
Pakistan will start on the road to democracy only when the party acolytes stop being motivated by tribal and ethnic loyalties and think for once what is good for the country. This is nowhere in evidence and may not happen ever or at least in the far future.
Why have these leaders drafted this charter of democracy? Do they practice it when at the helm? The truth is that the political parties are fiedoms.
May it be PPP or Muslim Leasgue or Awami Party. PPP leadership is inherited rather than elected! Sharif brothers control ML. Is this the democracy at work? Promises of democracy and independent judiciary are just a fig leaf. When not in power, these leaders flee to London or New York to escape justice. The leadership of most of these parties is tarnished, they are damaged goods. What was a tolerant peaceful society, some fifty years ago is now intolerant and ungovernable place. what a turn around!
govt should restore the constitution of 1973
no need to implement the chater of democracy, because its not the part of constitution. it was made by two main political parties to hide their own black actions.
i m strongly in favour of 1973 constitation.
what will happen to the current government if the powers of the president are curtailed ? Why would they ever harm themselves be revoking the act? Are they real democrats? someone help me to understand !
CoD must strip the President of the powers, which he could use to harm the country and General Musharaff illegally implemented. The President should function as a rubber stamp head of the state without any constitutional powers or prerogatives that could be misused against the interest of the state, constitution, judiciary, parliament and Pakistani civilian institutions.
I will urge the Pakistani people to ask the parliament and the judiciary to retry all those acquitted by General Mushraff in his dictatorial rule.
Justice should never be compromised, and promulgation of NRO was a mockery of Pakistan’s judicial system and until that is outlawed, Pakistani justice will be seen as favouring the wealthy, feudal lords, rich, mighty and those in power and authority.
Sixty years experience has shown that there is more to governing than merely words.I wish our rulers really do what they say.
As long as the current crop of politicians have anything to do with governing of the country, Pakistan is not going to make any progress in anything. As for Talibans, they should be eradicated completely. We can afford to get rid of these people who are still living in the dark ages.
Until this government is in power nothing will change; repeal NRO and send the corrupt to their rightful place – Adialah Jail for a long long time.