Pakistan

President signs 18th amendment bill

President Asif Ali Zardari signed the 18th constitutional amendment bill.

Madiha Shah/express April 19, 2010

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari signed the 18th constitutional amendment bill into law amidst a roaring crowd of PPP's supporters in the Presidency on Monday. Witness the signing here.

President Zardari became the first the president to forgo his executive powers and thanked parliamentarians and all coalition partners for forging harmony to make it a success.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, President Zardari said this historical event stands testimony to the fact that all political parties are united on national issues.

The president also saved the opportunity to highlight other achievements of the democratic government as NFC Award; Gilgit Baltistan elections and Aghaze Haqooq-e-Balochsitan Package. He said the bill marks an important milestone in the struggle of people on the road to democracy.

View Senator Raza Rabani's speech here.

COMMENTS (9)

Abid Hussain | 14 years ago | Reply We the peopls of Baltistan congratulate to the whole nation of Paistan for the 18th amemdment & also thanks to the President Asif Ali Zardari whos returned back the powers to Prime Minister himself. The day was very historical and it is the Shaheed Zulfiqar & Shaheed Benazi dreams which is completed by the Pakistan People Party with others political parties, I request the government now resolve the load shedding and control the high pricing of domestics consumers and also try to control the same. We also proud to our forces specially Pak Army who's soldiers sacrifying their lives for the nations life save. The army must be cruel and must be ended the cruel Talban as soon as possible. This is our demand to the government to take action against Lashar-e-jhangvi who are the producer of terrorists in our country and our neighbour countries. Thanks Zardari Thanks ****JEYE BHUTTO JEYE B.B****

The Master | 14 years ago | Reply This was the historic day for Pakistan..... Now Son and daughters, son in laws of our loving Party Owner will lead this nation.. Bilawal after Zardari and Hamza Sharif after Nawaz Sharif will be our forced leader.... Now get conversant with new term that is democratic Dictator Ship, The way party leader will think , complete party forced think same thinking and it will be forced nation by saying "Hamin Awam kaa mandate hasil hai" I think this all fuss is created by we the people who vote these ppl every time.Why don't we try some new ppl,

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

I Cheema | 14 years ago | Reply Now rivers of milk and honey will flow. Oh, my bad, that should have happened when Iftikhar Choudry was restored!!!!!.

Nadir El Edroos | 14 years ago | Reply The signing ceremony was so historic that it was held in English so that only a handful of Pakistani's could appreciate the event. That is for those who were lucky enough to have electricity at the time.

Syed A. Mateen | 14 years ago | Reply Indeed it is a historical moment. Mr. Asif Ali Zardari is the first President of Pakistan who transferred power from President to the elected Prime Minister, whereas in the past all powers of Prime Minister were transferred to the President.

Naushad Shafkat | 14 years ago | Reply The signing of the 18th Amendment is a historic day indeed for Pakistan, for the government, the people of Pakistan and above all President Zardari and all deserve to be congratulated for making this possible. It is quite easy to sit back in your arm-chair facing a TV camera and berating the President day in and day out. On the other hand for a President who was elected by a more than 2/3 majority it was well neigh impossible to ask him to give up his vast powers - powers which he had inherited with his office. But President Zardari gave up almost all of his powers willingly and as stated by the Prime Minister he wanted to do so immediately. Ask even a low grade officer if he would be agreeable to clip his authority and you will see stiff resistance. One hesitates to say this on such a joyous occasion but for the record let it be said that others in a similar situation were dreaming of donning the mantle of Amir-ul-Momineen. President Zardari has carved a place for himself in history and deserves all the accolades. Of course it is now time for the government to address itself to the problems of the common man who has been neglected for decades and still prides himself on being a Pakistani. His problems must be alleviated at the earliest so that his faith in Pakistan is rekindled and he can see a future for his children. Only when the common man is satisfied can we say that the creation of Pakistan was not in vain!

Nadir El-Edroos | 14 years ago | Reply This current government has been caught in the web of many political declarations. There was the Murree declaration, the movement to unseat Musharaf, the judge’s restoration marches, the NRO verdict, and now constitutional reforms. These deliberations while worthy seem to have become an excuse for government inaction. Each measure has been sold as a necessity assuming that its passage would rectify the nation’s problem. Another constitutional milestone has been achieved, and as many analysts predict we may be heading towards another show down between the parliament and the judiciary. While these problems remain, they should not be reasons for inaction. The government has a lot on its plate, which may be the case, stop making excuses just get a bigger plate.

Fayyaz Alam | 14 years ago | Reply While this amendment has far reaching impacts, ordinary people of Pakistan do not understand this. Sadly, the number of people who are comparing present government and Musharraf is increasing. Well done! Now lets get down to the urgent business. Do something for the immediate needs of the people before someone with a stick appears. If someone in unfirom takes over, like 12 October 1999, I have a fear that we might have to wait for years before people 'forgive' politicians and decide to come on roads!!!

Hasan Faizi | 14 years ago | Reply we dont want this ****, we want end to power crices in pakistan ppl are deing from hunger BS !!! sick of these drama's

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