ISLAMABAD, March 10 (NNN-APP) -- President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday expressed the hope that with the finalization of Constitutional reforms package by the end of current month, the 1973 Constitution would be restored to its original shape.

Addressing the award distribution ceremony of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday night the President said it was basically for Mian Raza Rabbani led constitutional reforms committee of the parliament as to when it submits its report but hoped that this would be done within this month.

Besides a large number of APNS representatives, newspaper owners, journalists, columnists, writers and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, the ceremony was also attended by federal ministers, parliamentarians and senior officers of the Ministry of Information.

The President hoped that the task of constitutional reforms would be carried out unanimously in a spirit of reconciliation.
President Zardari said they were determined to rid the Constitution of all undemocratic articles introduced into it by successive dictatorships.

The President noted that during his address to the parliament last year he himself had asked the parliament to reform the Constitution.

This was followed by a letter to the Prime Minister and the Speaker asking them to work towards elimination of those provisions that strengthen the Presidency and weaken the parliament and the democracy, he added.

The President said it was wrong perception that he can do this job himself and said the parliament is the only sovereign body to do that. The President said he had voluntarily transferred his powers as head of the Command and Control Authority to the parliament.

The President said the Government firmly believes in freedom of the media and has taken a number of measures for the purpose.
He said he welcomes the constructive criticism as it helps improve performance and serve people in a better manner.

The President said an independent media has a crucial role to play in keeping a check on the executive and the strengthening democratic institutions.

He said it was PPP government of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto which allowed free import of newsprint, and employees of radio and television were reinstated.

He said the PPP Government also lifted restrictions on TV channels imposed by the dictatorship.

Referring to achievements of the Government he said only three days ago he signed into law two bills to protect rights of workers.

“We also have plans to distribute free the state owned agricultural land in the command areas of the new dams among the poor women”, he added.

The President said the present government also gave Aghaz Haqooq-e-Balochistan package, introduced far reaching social and political reforms in Gilgit Baltistan and addressed the issue of net hydel profit.

He said for the first time the demand of the provinces to change the criterion of the NFC Awards has been changed.

President Zardari said those who martyred Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto not only wanted to eliminate her but also the democracy and that is why he opposed the proposition of boycott of the general elections.

He said it was because of his decision to participate in the elections that “today we have democracy in the country and different parties are represented in the parliament”.
About UN inquiry commission into assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the President said the commission has completed its task to a great extent.

The President said when he talks about the murderers of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto he means the mind-set that eliminated her and “we have to change this mind-set and strengthen democracy”.

The President said his sister was a covering candidate when he contested elections for the office of the President.

“As her nomination papers were also accepted, there are now two opinions whether a woman can contest the presidential elections and hoped that one day we could also have a woman president”.

Referring to the demands of the APNS, the President directed the Government to look into them.

The President also gave away 19th and 20th APNS awards to writers, columnists, reporters, cartoonists and photographers. He also gave away advertising awards.

Earlier, President APNS Mujeeb-ur-Rahman Shami in his welcome remarks said leaving aside the issue of praise or criticism about President Zardari one thing is very much clear that he (President Zardari) entered the Presidency in the broad daylight as an elected President.

He said during the election process of President Zardari, even his opponents or rival candidates did not raise any objection against him.

“Today’s APNS award winners will get their awards from a democratic President”, he remarked.

Shami said the APNS has always been in the forefront for the strengthening of democracy, supremacy of parliament and played its role in the restoration of judiciary, adding, the body will continue to take this mission forward.

He thanked the President for allowing the APNS to hold the 2010 APNS award ceremony in the Presidency. -- NNN-APP