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Balancing presidential powers first priority, says Zardari

* Support for candidature ‘vote of endorsement’ for strong federation: PPP co-chairman

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Balancing presidential powers will be my first priority as president, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said on Friday.

“If elected president, first priority will be to support the prime minister, the National Assembly and the Senate to amend the constitution and bring into balance the powers of the Presidency,” he said.

Zardari said he stood strongly for a system where elected representatives took decisions for the country, adding that a strong federation could best respond to challenges confronting the nation. Commenting on the unanimous support by three provincial assemblies to his candidature, Zardari said this support was due to the ideals he stood for.

Strong federation: “The overwhelming support for my candidature by the three provincial assemblies, the Northern Areas Legislative Assembly and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is a vote of endorsement for a strong federation. There is also consensus in the country that an empowered federation alone can stand up to challenges that are threatening the nation’s stability. A robust Pakistan can only be ensured by a candidate who has the support of a majority of political forces,” he said. He added this year’s presidential election was being conducted in a purely political and democratic environment.

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