NOTWITHSTANDING the proclamations of the PPP leadership indicating it is serious in repealing the 17th amendment, the perception that it is non-committal to the cause keeps gaining currency. Pledges and promises have been made, but will the President follow up on his words with definite moves remains anyone's guess. The PPP's Central Executive Committee in a meeting chaired by President Asif Zardari passed a resolution calling for the repeal of 17th amendment, which would no doubt appear to be an encouraging step. But this seems to be mere talk and would provide grist to the mill of those who accuse PPP of indulging in delaying tactics. PPP's seriousness could be gauged from the fact that many of its top guns have been making statements, which shows its lukewarm stance in removing the 17th amendment and the 58 (2)b. The statement for instance by PPP's Central Sectary Information Fauzia Wahab on Monday that there should be a balance of power between the office of Prime Minister and President implies that the party wants the status quo to prevail. Her perception that the President should not be stripped of his powers does not take into account the fundamental point that it is the system rather than individuals, which should be strengthened. These are principles and should not be twisted in favour of any person. Moreover, she seems to be missing the point that the supremacy of the parliament can only be assured if the President surrenders these powers. Likewise, the statements by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira are confusing and cast doubt on PPP's commitment to repeal the amendment. On the one hand, he says that a constitutional committee comprising different parties to decide the fate of 17th amendment has been formed and on the other, maintains that a consensus among all the parties to restore the constitution to the form it had in 1973 already exists. But, if there is a unanimity of views as he is saying, one wonders about the need to set up a committee. Does this not imply PPP's foot-dragging on the issue? As it is, the powers vested in the President to dismiss a sitting government pose a big threat to democracy in Pakistan. Experience has shown that it is a parliamentary form of government and not a presidential form that suits the country the most. Besides, the presidential form creates hindrance in decision making. If the PPP in general and the President in particular wants the parliament to be supreme, there should be no delay in going ahead and repealing the amendment. Late Benazir Bhutto had signed the Charter of Democracy only to ensure sovereignty of the parliament. It would be a disservice to her and to the country if her objective is not converted into a reality.