This is a great victory of democratic forces over the dictators' amendments, said Zardari.

ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary committee agreed on a constitutional amendment Wednesday that strips the president of powers inherited from the country’s former military ruler, fulfilling a long-standing opposition demand.

”This was a difficult job that has been done amicably and with consensus,” Senator Raza Rabbani, the head of the parliamentary committee, told reporters Wednesday.

He thanked all the members of the committee and said the nation’s interest is kept first after setting aside party’s interest.

Federal Law Minister Babar Awan, after singing the draft, said there are nearly 100 clauses in the draft amendment.

“We will soon announce when we will take the draft to the parliament,” said Awan.

The draft amendment transfers a variety of powers, including the ability to fire an elected government and appoint military chiefs, from the office of the president to the prime minister, said Senator Hasil Baloch, another member of the committee.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani have hailed the signing of the Constitutional Amendment Bill as historic.

In a statement the president said that this is a great victory of democratic forces over the dictators’ amendments.

He congratulated PM Gilani, Speaker Dr. Fahmida Mirza, Committee chairman Raza Rabbani and all PPP’s coalition parties in the government as well as all other parties represented in parliament.

He said this unanimous signing is a great gift for democracy and the people of Pakistan.

We will soon announce when we will take the draft to the parliament, said Babar Awan.