Pakistan opposition urges prez to give up powers

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Pakistan opposition urges prez to give up powers
By ASIF SHAHZAD
Associated Press Writer
Nov 29, 6:09 AM EST

ISLAMABAD (AP) -- Pakistan's main opposition party demanded Sunday that the president immediately relinquish much of his power amid calls for the unpopular leader to assume a ceremonial role or resign.

The political turmoil threatens to distract the U.S.-allied country from its fight against the Taliban and al-Qaida near the Afghan border.

President Asif Ali Zardari inherited sweeping presidential powers from his predecessor, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who staged a 1999 military coup and resigned last year. Zardari has promised to give them to the prime minister, in line with Pakistan's original constitution, but has been accused of foot-dragging by an angry opposition.

His position has been further weakened by the expiration of an amnesty protecting him and several key allies from graft prosecution, raising the possibility of legal challenges to his rule in the coming months.

On Friday, Zardari transferred command of the country's nuclear arsenal to the prime minister and promised to surrender other key powers - chiefly the authority to fire an elected government and appoint top military chiefs - by the end of the year.


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