The Hindu : Bill moved in Pakistan to institutionalise role of Army

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 03, 2004

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International

Bill moved in Pakistan to institutionalise role of Army

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, APRIL 2. A bill to institutionalise the role of the Army in governance was introduced in the National Assembly of Pakistan today amidst a walkout by the entire Opposition.

The Bill, referred by the Speaker to the Standing Committee, envisages the creation of a National Security Council (NSC) with representation to the three service chiefs and with powers to make recommendations to the President on all matters of "national importance." Though the recommendations are not mandatory, the Opposition parties are of the view that the Council negates the concept of parliamentary democracy and provides a role to the military in governance against the spirit of the Constitution.

The creation of the NSC was among the reforms sought to be introduced by the President, Pervez Musharraf. His argument is that the Chief of the Army Staff was one of the three "power brokers" and repeatedly politicians in the country have compelled the COAS to intervene in matters of governance.

The NSC, as outlined in the Bill, will deal with issues of national interest, defence and any crisis situation. The bill is expected to be passed as an act of Parliament as agreed by the Government and the MMA during the resolution of the LFO issue.

It appears that the MMA chose to boycott the session today on account of differences over some provisions and not the concept as such.

Under the proposed Bill, the President will be the chairman of the NSC. Its members will include the Prime Minister, the Senate Chairman, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Opposition leader in the National Assembly, Provincial Chief Ministers, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the services chiefs.

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