Pak President's wings clipped

ISLAMABAD, Dec 25 (PTI) — Pakistan's National Assembly has passed a Bill allowing the government to make appointments to higher government posts without the consent of the Head of State, further clipping the wings of the President.

The Lower House passed the Federation Bill, 1998, that will allow the government not to seek prior presidential consent for appointment to higher posts, by an overwhelming majority yesterday.

Members of the chief Opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP), in a minority in the House dominated by Mr Sharif's ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML), slammed the Bill, saying it would undermine the office of the President.

Taking part in the debate on the Bill, PPP leader and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the House Syed Khurshid Shah alleged the government was trying to concentrate all powers in its hands.

"The President is already a rubber stamp, but the government wants to further curtail his powers," he said.

Law Minister Khalid Anwar, however, sought to dispel members' fears, saying the Bill only explained the mode of exercise of powers vested in the President by the Constitution and would not curtail his powers.