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The government's proposed constitutional amendment package on Wednesday restored Article 58 (2B) that provides for more powers to the president and reduces the authority of the prime minister to a near puppet, The News reported on Thursday.
The current constitution binds the president to act on the prime minister's advice in matters such as dissolving parliament and appointing provincial governors.
The terms of the prime minister and chief ministers and the tenure of the senate, national and provincial assemblies have also been reduced from five to four years. However, the presidential term will remain for five years.
In all, 73 amendments have been proposed under the document titled "The Establishment of Sustainable Federal Democracy Package - I".
The News, quoting Information Secretary Syed Anwar Mehmood, reported that the cabinet will finalise the package after a month-long debate finishing on July 31.
Musharraf has told the cabinet that there should be an "open-ended debate on this most vital package for setting the foundation of real democracy in the country", according to Mehmood.
The proposed amendments also envision a permanent 10-member National Security Council. The body, headed by the president, will include armed forces chiefs.
A proposal has been tabled to provide for direct election to the 100-seat upper house (senate) through a system of proportional representation.
It has also been proposed to make graduation as a constitutional qualification for the contesting candidates and reduce the voters' age from 21 to 18 years.
UNI
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