Pakistan's lower house of parliament unanimously approved a constitutional amendment today that strips the president of powers inherited from the country's former military ruler, a key step in implementing a long-standing opposition demand that could reduce pressure on the U.S.-allied leader, according to AP. The bill has cross-party support and its passage could help calm political tensions as Pakistan grapples with a violent Taliban-led insurgency. It transfers a variety of powers, including the ability to fire an elected government and appoint military chiefs and judges, from the office of the president to the prime minister. «We have empowered the masses today,» said Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani in his address to the National Assembly after the televised vote. «The impossible you made possible has established the sovereignty of parliament.» The bill must now be passed by a two-thirds majority of the Senate, or upper house of parliament, and be signed by President Asif Ali Zardari to be implemented. Approval by both is expected since the amendment was drafted by a committee that included representatives from all parties in parliament. The opposition had criticized Zardari for dragging his feet on relinquishing the powers, which he first promised to do when he was elected in 2008 as the successor to Gen. Pervez Musharraf. «It is a historic day for us,» said National Assembly speaker Fehmida Mirza. «It is a celebration for all democratic parties.» Lawmakers thumped their desks as the house approved the bill and shouted «Hang Musharraf!» in reference to the former military leader. The vote was 292-0, with 50 lawmakers absent. «Today, in a true sense, we are giving you a parliamentary form of government,» said Gilani. The changes mean Zardari will occupy a largely ceremonial post, but since he derives much of his power from his position as co-head of the largest party, he will still wield significant influence over the government. Furthermore, Gilani is a loyal member of Zardari's party and a strong supporter of the president.
