DESPITE mounting criticism, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf unilaterally amended the Pakistani constitution Wednesday, granting himself sweeping powers — including the right to dissolve parliament — and extending his term in office.

　“Pakistan is passing through a very crucial transitional period,” Musharraf told reporters in announcing his decision to implement the amendments, which were first unveiled in June. “We are taking Pakistan from democratic dictatorship to elected democracy. I want to introduce a sustainable democratic order.”

　Critics, however, claimed the 29 amendments were a blow to the very democracy that Musharraf promised to restore by holding elections Oct. 10 for the national parliament and provincial legislatures.

　“We don’t believe that an individual or group has the right to amend the constitution,” said Raza Rabbai of the opposition Pakistan People’s Party, led by former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. “This is the sole prerogative of the parliament.”

　Other amendments formalized an additional five years in office for Musharraf that he won in a controversial referendum in April. He also gave the military a formal role in governing the nation for the first time by setting up a National Security Council that would oversee elected rulers — and include military officials.

　“Musharraf has grabbed all the power and the next prime minister will be helpless,” said Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, head of the opposition Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy. Musharraf seized power Oct. 12, 1999 in a bloodless coup that toppled Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. (SD-Agencies)