Stability of Pakistan depends upon Zardari relinquishing dictatorial powers: Sharif

London, Mar 28 (ANI): The political stability in Pakistan depends upon President Asif Ali Zardari giving up his dictatorial presidential powers like power to dismiss parliament, according to PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif. harif asked Zardari to honour a pledge to transfer key powers to his Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

"We have conveyed to the Prime Minister that future relations will be based on the understanding that those dictatorial powers be repealed," The Telegraph quoted Sharif, as saying.

Zardari, who had previously failed to honour the pledge that was part of a pro-democracy agreement between his late wife Benazir Bhutto and Sharif, is expected to announce his intention to curb some of his own powers on Saturday in his parliamentary address.

"Zardari should accept that Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system. It (the future) all depends on how democratically he conducts his role," said Sharif.

The political situation in Pakistan has altered dramatically in Sharif's favour since last week when he defied house arrest and led a victorious protest that forced the government to restore deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Sharif frowned at reports that he had wanted to name himself as amir-ul-momin, Commander-of-the-Faithful, as "absolutely a joke," and described reports of his closeness to religious conservatives as propaganda started by his political adversaries.

Sharif's critics say that he has been silent on the Taliban insurgency when leadership is desperately required to galvanise popular opinion.

"I condemn every bomb blast and suicide attack," he said. "What more can I do?"

Sharif conceded that militants now control Swat Valley, but said he did not want to comment further for fear of embarrassing the provincial government. (ANI)