Pakistan Peoples' Party and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) have agreed in principle to allow open debate on defence budget in the Parliament under the proposed 'charter of democracy'.
Alliance for Restoration of Democracy sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday, that recording to the charter neither PPP nor PML government would object to a parliamentary debate on defence budget. It provided that the power to appoint chief of army staff will lie with the prime minister, which presently was the discretion of president.
President Musharraf had reversed a decision taken by the deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif to name the COAS, sources pointed out. The charter envisages elimination of 'the army's and the intelligence agencies' role in politics, and either of the two parties' government after the upcoming elections would legislate on the issue and the opposition would support it.
The incumbent government, sources added, would do away with the piece of legislation pertaining to banning a third term for the prime minister.
The proposed document finalised after hectic deliberations of senior leaders from both the parties also envisages that none of the sides would seek the military's support to topple any future government.
"Political differences will be resolved through political means," the charter said. It is expected to be signed on May 15 by Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif in London. Meanwhile, the PML Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq welcomed the Monday meeting between the two leaders, saying it sent a clear message that the two mainstream parties meant business.
He said that the charter, would lay the foundation for putting the country on road to sustainable democracy.