Addressing a press conference following party's Central Executive Council meeting, Zardari said the government would open talks with Musharraf on the package and would also discuss it with all political parties. "We intend to walk him away, rather than impeach him away," Zardari said when asked if his government wanted to impeach Musharraf.
According to salient features of the 62-point package read out by law Minister Farooq H Naek, the amendments include: renaming NWFP as Pukhtunkhwa; under Article 6, the violation of oath as judge to be declared to have committed treason; a bar on a president running for office for more than two terms; no restrictions on criticism on judiciary and army; a bar on government employees from contesting in the elections; creating minority seats in the Senate-one from each province; appointment of chief election commissioner through Parliament; meeting of National Finance Commission to be held in every three years instead of five and making effective the Council of Common Interests.
However, the proposal on the controversial issue of restoration of the judges was not clear. According to the law minister, the issue will be finalised after consultation with legal fraternity.
On the occasion, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said his party wants to uphold the supremacy of Parliament and will never accept General Musharraf as the constitutional President of the country. "Dialogue will be the ultimate weapon to resolve all the national issues as done by PPP since its foundation," he added.
"We never accepted President Musharraf as constitutional President and PPP has developed only working relations with him," he added. He said the draft package also includes proposal regarding the tenure of judges but a final decision has not yet been made and the Parliament would be given the authority to deal with all the issues, he added.
Zardari said the meeting has empowered him to consult coalition partners and lawyers including PML (N) chief Nawaz Sharif, ANP leader Asfandyar Wali Khan and MQM leaders. He said the Law Minister would meet leaders of the parties inside and outside the parliament with a view to taking them on board over proposed amendments.
Zardari opined that Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan has agreed to a suggestion that lawyers would have a meeting with the PPP leader and would give their input on the proposed package. Zardari said first the package would be passed by the National and Provincial assemblies then the Senate would be requested to do so. To a question, he said, concurrent list is also a part of constitutional package.
On the occasion, explaining the salient features of the proposed amendments, Law Minister Farooq H. Naek said that all the executive powers would be transferred from President to Prime Minister to make the Parliament supreme.
He said Article-6 is proposed to be amended to provide for that judges of the high courts and supreme courts validating suspension or abrogation of the constitution will attract high treason and cease to be judge of the superior courts.
The Law Minister said there is also a proposal to restrict election of the President to two full terms. Through another amendment, a person holding any office of profit would not qualify to hold a public office.
Similarly, criticism of the judiciary or armed forces would not attract disqualification for candidates to the assemblies under Article 63 of the constitution, he added. According to the package, caretaker governments would be formed in consultation with the Chairman of the Senate, Speaker of the National Assembly and Governors of the provinces.
It would be mandatory to hold meeting of the Council of Common Interests, twice a year to address grievances of the smaller provinces and sort out autonomy related issues. Replying to questions, Asif Ali Zardari said they want to empower Balochistan in respect of mineral resources and ports and Gwadar would be declared an economic zone.
To another question he said assemblies gave us mandate to approach the UN for probe into Benazir Bhutto's assassination. Earlier, the CEC meeting also passed a resolution reposing confidence in the leadership of Zardari, authorising him to initiate dialogue with other stakeholders.