Constitution To Be Amended: Shujaat Options

[OmaR UK]

Constitution to be amended: Shujaat


KARACHI. President of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said that President Pervez Musharraf has approved in principle the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan issue.

Addressing a hurriedly called press conference here on Monday, Shujaat said certains amendments would be brought about in the Constitution for the implementation of these recommendations. He said it was for the first time in the history of Pakistan that amendments would be made to the Constitution on the recommendations of a parliamentary committee.

"Any attempt to sabotage the reconciliation process in Balochistan would be foiled," the PML chief said, adding that the people would be given much more than their expectations, which would benefit not only Balochistan but also the other provinces.

Shujaat said a comprehensive package would be announced for Balochistan to do away with the sense of deprivation among its people. "Amendments would be made to the Constitution for the package," he added. The package would cover all problems, including the issue of gas royalty.

The PML chief, who came to Karachi on Monday, met former caretaker prime minister Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and former speaker National Assembly Illahi Bux Soomro to seek their help for defusing tension in Balochistan.

Chaudhry Shujaat, who held talks with Baloch leaders, including Jaffar Mandokhel, Tariq Magsi and Haji Abdus Sattar, who are considered close associated of JWP chief Nawab Muhammad Akber Khan Bugti, said he would apprise Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz of the outcome of his meetings on Tuesday.

The PML chief dispelled the impression that the Parliamentary Committee, which has representation of almost all political parties, was powerless and said certain elements were spreading such rumours with a view to aggravating the situation. Shujaat said he was trying to ensure the involvement of Baloch leaders otherwise the president could make an announcement on the implementation of the Parliamentary Committee’s recommendations.

Shujaat said he came to Karachi to offer condolence to Illahi Bux Soomro and Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi. He added that his visit was also aimed at seeking help from the veteran politicians in bringing the JWP chief to the negotiation table. "I told Jatoi and Soomro to inform the Baloch leaders that the Parliamentary Committee is powerful," he added.

Shujaat termed the gang rape of a lady doctor at Sui "a bad incident". He said case had been registered against some PPL employees for covering up the incident. "Culprits involved in the incident would be awarded exemplary punishment," he assured. The PML chief admitted that a stalemate occurred following the statement of ISPR chief Maj-Gen Shaukat Sultan and Nawab Akber Bugti’s reaction to it.

[Sultan]

I read in an article from DAWN yesterday that the Musharraf is planning provincial autonomy for Baluchistan ... :read: :read:

That isn't a good thing, right ? :read:

[shadowofbeautifu...]

Sultan unless you have a clue to what provincial atonomy actually encircle hard to say what might be the out come of that. Having a federation would change a lot of the grief between brothers of the same nation.