ISLAMABAD — In a bid to survive an increasing unpopularity, embattled Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday, November 28, handed over the country’s nuclear arsenal to his Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. "Transferring the chairmanship of National Command Authority to the prime minister is a giant leap forward to empower the elected parliament and the prime minister," Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar said in a statement cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Zardari's office said the transition posed no threat to the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
The NCA is responsible for policy formulation and the exercise of employment and development control over nuclear arsenal and strategic organizations.
"The president has handed over his power regarding the national command and control authority to me and has issued an ordinance," Gilani told reporters.
The handover was reportedly aimed at improving the strained relationship with the powerful military by making good on electoral promises to devolve greater power to parliament.
The decision was taken as part of 28 ordinances which Zardari re-issued, with some amendments late Friday.
They were the results of a Supreme Court ruling aimed at reversing the 2007 imposition of emergency rule by then ruler Pervez Musharraf.
Last July, the Supreme Court asked the government to put the decisions taken by Musharraf after the emergency state before parliament for ratification and set November 28 as a deadline.
Survival
The handover was seen as a step by Zardari to survive an increasing popularity.
"It appears to be a self-defense and survival strategy," said Rasool Bakhsh Rais, a political science professor at Lahore University of Management Science.
Zardari's approval ratings are rock bottom as Pakistan struggles with Taliban violence, a recession and stalled efforts on reform.
He spent several years in jail for corruption and is still referred to as "Mr Ten Percent" because of his reputation for taking kickbacks on deals.
Zardari also reissued 27 other Musharraf-era ordinances and told Express News TV that he was likely to give away his powers to dissolve parliament and appoint services chiefs by the end of this year.
Analysts said the move signaled Zardari's willingness to shed powers as part of a compromise that would enable him to keep his job.
But Gilani, who has a close relationship with the military, argued that the step was part of Pakistan’s ‘democracy’
"We are going in the right direction,” Gilani, a member of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), said.
“There is no threat to democracy and to the present government.
"He believes in the balance of power between the presidency and the parliament and he is committed to undo the 17th amendment," he added.
But senior lawyers said that the nuclear move was window dressing.
"The president wants to give the impression that he is empowering his prime minister," said lawyer Akram Sheikh.
"This transfer is basically cosmetic."
Source: IslamOnline
Zardari's office said the transition posed no threat to the security of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.
The NCA is responsible for policy formulation and the exercise of employment and development control over nuclear arsenal and strategic organizations.
"The president has handed over his power regarding the national command and control authority to me and has issued an ordinance," Gilani told reporters.
The handover was reportedly aimed at improving the strained relationship with the powerful military by making good on electoral promises to devolve greater power to parliament.
The decision was taken as part of 28 ordinances which Zardari re-issued, with some amendments late Friday.
They were the results of a Supreme Court ruling aimed at reversing the 2007 imposition of emergency rule by then ruler Pervez Musharraf.
Last July, the Supreme Court asked the government to put the decisions taken by Musharraf after the emergency state before parliament for ratification and set November 28 as a deadline.
Survival
The handover was seen as a step by Zardari to survive an increasing popularity.
"It appears to be a self-defense and survival strategy," said Rasool Bakhsh Rais, a political science professor at Lahore University of Management Science.
Zardari's approval ratings are rock bottom as Pakistan struggles with Taliban violence, a recession and stalled efforts on reform.
He spent several years in jail for corruption and is still referred to as "Mr Ten Percent" because of his reputation for taking kickbacks on deals.
Zardari also reissued 27 other Musharraf-era ordinances and told Express News TV that he was likely to give away his powers to dissolve parliament and appoint services chiefs by the end of this year.
Analysts said the move signaled Zardari's willingness to shed powers as part of a compromise that would enable him to keep his job.
But Gilani, who has a close relationship with the military, argued that the step was part of Pakistan’s ‘democracy’
"We are going in the right direction,” Gilani, a member of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), said.
“There is no threat to democracy and to the present government.
"He believes in the balance of power between the presidency and the parliament and he is committed to undo the 17th amendment," he added.
But senior lawyers said that the nuclear move was window dressing.
"The president wants to give the impression that he is empowering his prime minister," said lawyer Akram Sheikh.
"This transfer is basically cosmetic."
Source: IslamOnline
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