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Pakistan constitutional amendment curbing presidential powers signed into law

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday signed into law the 18th Amendment bill, limiting presidential powers expanded under former military leader Pervez Musharraf. Under the amendment, which effectively reduces the role of the president to a figurehead, the vast majority of the president's powers will be transferred to the office of the prime minister. The president will no longer have the power to appoint heads of the armed forces, dissolve the parliament or dismiss the prime minister. In addition, the president may only enact emergency rule after parliamentary approval. Both the National Assembly and the Senate unanimously passed the amendment bill earlier this month. The introduction of the bill comes amid controversy over reopening corruption investigations against Zardari. Earlier this month, Pakistan's attorney general Anwar Mansoor announced his resignation over controversy surrounding a Supreme Court order to investigate corruption allegations against Zardari. Last month, Swiss authorities denied a request from Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau, refusing to reopen a corruption investigation against Zardari. Aides to Zardari believe that presidential immunity protects him from prosecution, even after the Supreme Court overturned an amnesty law implemented by Musharraf. The amnesty was signed by Musharraf as part of a power-sharing accord allowing former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto to return to the country despite corruption charges she had faced.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on April 19, 2010 (boomark / email).