Opposition seeks to reduce Zardari’s powers

By Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad and Guy Dinmore in Rome

Published: March 19 2009Pakistan’s main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday launched a fresh offensive against president Asif Ali Zardari,this time seeking to dismantle presidential powers to dissolve the parliament. Seizing the initiative after the success of recent anti-government protests, Mr Sharif said he had already spoken to Yusuf Raza Gilani , prime minister, seeking an agreement between the ruling party and the opposition on abolishing the 17th amendment of the constitution.