KARACHI / LARKANA: Senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro on Saturday strongly criticised those advocating for a presidential system in the country and said the proponents would be guilty of treason under Article 6 of the Constitution.

Speaking at a programme held to celebrate the 70th birthday of President Asif Ali Zardari, the PPP leader said that the imposition of a presidential system would require violating the Constitution and would be a betrayal of democratic principles enshrined in 18thAmendment.

He warned that those pushing for a presidential system would be guilty of Article 6.

Mr Khuhro, who is the provincial president of the ruling party of Sindh, said that the nation had rejected martial laws and presidential systems in the past, and there was still a consensus that the democratic parliamentary system would continue in the country.

He credited Mr Zardari for paving the way for a new national financial award that would benefit provinces and said that the new award would potentially increase the provinces` share from 57 per cent to 60 per cent, further empowering them.

He also lauded Mr Zardari`s vision and leadership saying that the president had played a crucial role in taking the country out of crises and ensuring democratic stability.`The PPP, under President Zardari`s leadership, remains committed to protecting democracy and the constitution, Mr Khuhro added.

Ghani celebrates Zardari`s birthday with orphans At another programme organised at the Edhi Centre, Mithadar to celebrate President Zardari`s birthday with orphaned children, PPP Karachi president and Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani and general secretary Senator Syed Waqar Mehdi credited President Asif Ali Zardari for `implementing the 1973 Constitution in its true spirit, empowering provinces and parliament, and strengthening democracy through his political wisdom and vision`.

He recalled that after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007, the partyfaced severe challenges, but Asif Zardari revived and stabilised both the PPP and national politics, keeping in view her manifesto and vision.

He also said that provinces would not accept a reduced share in resources under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, adding that the Federal Board of Revenue`s shortcomings were the real cause of fiscal stress.

Later, talking to the media, Saeed Ghani said that although many events were being held across the city to mark Zardari`s birthday, the one at the Edhi Centre was the most meaningful because of the prayers and blessings of the innocent children raised by the late Abdul Sattar Edhi.

He thanked Faisal Edhi for providing the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of a leader who played a `key role in restoring democracy and upholding the dignity of parliament`.

Larkana PPP district chapter cut cake at a ceremony at town hall in Naudero to mark the 70th birthday of President Asif Ali Zardari.

MNA Khursheed Ahmed Junejo said at the gathering that Zardari was the only personinPakistan`shistoryto have served twice as president and completed his term with great political wisdom.

He spent 14 and a half years in prison which no other political leader in the country`s history had endured.

He remained steadfast during tough times and resolutely raised the slogan `Pakistan khappay` (we want Pakistan) after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, when enraged people were raising rebellious slogans, he said.

He said that Zardari had been chairman of PPP four times and had strengthened bond between the provinces. Gen Zia had amended the 1973 Constitution but Zardari later empowered the provinces through the 18th Amendment, he said.

He introduced the Benazir Income Support Program, which initially benefited 10 million people. Bilawal Bhutto constructed homes for 2.1 million flood-affected people in Sindh an act unmatched anywhere else, he said, adding `we salute Zardarifor his services`.

In Nawabshah, the party workers and supporters cut a 70-pound cake to celebrate Zardari`s birthday at Peoples Secretariat.

Sindh Minister for Works & Services and Prisons, Ali Hassan Zardari, said at the gathering that President Zardari had instructed the party to serve people without discrimination and provide them with maximum facilities at their doorsteps.

He said that Mehran Highway would be converted into a dual carriageway to provide better travel facilities to general public. President Zardari had expressed interest in the conversion of the highway into dual carriageway for the facilitation of commuters, he said.

He said that a ring road project was also approved to reduce traffic congestion in Nawabshah city whereas a road would be constructed from Sanghar to Saleh Pat.

PPP district president Mohammad Saalim Zardari, general secretary Syed Ali Haider Shah and other party leaders praised President Zardari`s services to the party workers and people.

The birthday was attended by party leaders, including MPAs Ghulam Qadir Chandio and Javed Iqbal Arain, Mayor Qazi Rashid Bhatti, Syed Atif Hussain Zaidi, Engineer Mir Mohammed Siyal and others.

M.B. Kalhoro in Larkana and Zulfiqar Memon in Nawabshah also contributed to this report