Gilani vows to restore 1973 Constitution

Islamabad, Sep 8 : Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has vowed to restore the 1973 Constitution in its original form, and said the measure would guarantee an independent judiciary and free media.

"With the election of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari as President, the democratic process in the country is complete," Gilani told a United States congressional delegation.

The statement comes amid demands for the removal of the constitutional amendments that give excessive authority to the President, and promises by the PPP that it will create a balance of power between state institutions.

The six-member bi-partisan congressional delegation had called on Gilani at the Prime Minister's House, a day after Zardari's convincing victory in Saturday's presidential election.

The delegation included House Armed Services Committee members Congressman Jim Cooper (Tennessee) and Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas), House Committee on Education and Labour member Congressman Thomas Petri (Wisconsin), House Ways and Means Committee member Congressman Jon Porter (Nevada), and House Homeland Security Committee member Congressman Dave Reichert (Washington).

US Ambassador Anne W Patterson was also present during the meeting, the Daily Times reported.

ANI