Law drafted to lift emergency

ISLAMABAD—Government has prepared draft law to lift emergency and revoke Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) by December 15th while an important announcement for Provincial autonomy is also likely by President. Reliable sources told Online that a high level meeting chaired by President Pervez Musharraf was held here in Presidency on Wednesday. Waseem Sajjad, Sharif ud Din Pirzada and Attorney General Malik Qayyum attended the meeting.
Sources said that President himself might announce the draft law prepared for the lifting emergency by 15th December. During the meeting Waseem Sajjad informed the President about the recommendations of Constitutional Committee set for the Provincial autonomy and told that committee has finalized its most of the work. He further told that Committee was about to table Bill regarding the Provincial autonomy that could not be submitted due to some unavoidable reasons.
Sources further disclosed President might hand over some departments to the provinces. Amendments being made in the constitution from 3rd November to 15th of December would be indemnified in presidential order. It was also proposed in the meeting that age limit for appointment of the High Court Judges be curtailed from 45 to 40 years as lay down in the 1973 constitution. It is also expected that President would make some important announcement regarding constitutional amendments.
Attorney General (AG), Malik Muhammad Qayyum has called on president Pervez Musharraf and exchanged views on key constitutional matters here Wednesday in Aiwan-e-Sadr. Sources told Online the matters related to the amendments to be made in the constitution ahead of lifting of emergency were also discussed. AG apprised the president of his opinion in this respect
Sources informed president would issue new orders under PCO within next two days including non restoration of the judges who had not taken oath under PCO. Sources indicated president Musharraf had already been vested with powers in connection with lifting of emergency and he could now issue orders to indemnify all his steps to avert any problem in future. Ministry of law would hand over to the president constitutional documents on end to emergency and revocation of PCO within next two days. President Musharraf would announce lifting of emergency and revocation of PCO through presidential order.
President Musharraf expressed hope that all the political parties would play positive and constructive role in the best interest of country and contribute to holding of fair and transparent elections.
Attorney General of Pakistan Wednesday met President Pervez Musharraf to discuss proposed legislation for withdrawal of emergency rule and Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO).
Attorney General Malik Qayyum says the proposed text for restoration of the amended constitution and withdrawal of the emergency rule will be finalized on Thursday (tomorrow). The text will be later sent to the ministry of law for scrutiny.
Malik Qayyum earlier stated that the emergency rule and the PCO would be withdrawn till Dec. 15.—Agencies