RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Monday prorogued the house and summoned a meeting of parliamentary leaders today (Tuesday) to develop consensus again on “The Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2017” for delimitation of constituencies in the country.

The speaker said, “The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is all set to knock the door of Supreme Court if political parties do not develop consensus on the bill. The secretary ECP is sitting in my chamber at this time to discuss the matter of legislation about delimitation of the constituencies.”

He said that in pervious two-day meeting, the parliamentary leaders agreed on the constitutional amendment for delimitation of constituencies. But after it, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) expressed their reservations and opposed the bill in the House.

He said that the ECP has asked the government to make legislation till November 10 to complete the delimitation process timely for holding forthcoming general elections 2018 on time.

The speaker said that at this time the MQM members are holding meeting with the officials of the ECP. He said that the ECP is trying to remove the reservations of MQM members.

The speaker also asked Law Minister Zahid Hamid to sit with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and PPP to remove the apprehensions of the opposition parties.

Well-placed sources told Business Recorder if parliamentary leaders do not develop consensus on the bill in the meeting under the speaker National Assembly then the government would promulgate an ordinance for delimitation of constituencies in the country.

The government had specially summoned this session of the National Assembly for passage of the constitutional amendment for delimitation of constituencies. But neither did the government ensure maximum attendance of its own members nor could it convince the PPP and MQM on the legislation.

“The Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2017” was delayed as it requires two-third (228 votes) majority for its approval.

Earlier, speaking on points of order, members of PTI, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), Awami National Party (ANP) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) supported for the passage of constitution amendment for delimitation of constituencies, saying this is vital to ensure timely election in the country.

However Dr Shireen Mehrunnisa Mazari of PTI said that the government should remove the reservations of political parties (PPP, MQM) before placing the bill in the house for passage. She said that three days have been passed but the government could not fulfill its number for an important legislation.

Syed Naveed Qamar of PPP said that the constitution amendment should first be approved by the Council of Common Interests. He said that it is not any issue of decreasing or increasing of seats of small provinces. “We should move according to the Constitution,” he added.

Minister for Housing Akram Khan Durrani proposed that the speaker should adjourn the house for two days and hold meeting of parliamentary leaders to develop consensus again on the bill. He said that all political parties should fulfill their responsibility for this legislation.

Sahibzada Tariq Ullah of JI said, “We support the bill and it is duty of the government to complete the strength of its members in the house for legislation. We do not want any delay in the election.”

The JI leader said, “If the ECP approaches the apex court then election may be delayed.”

Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao of QWP said that the seats of small provinces (KP and Balochistan) are being increased through this legislation. He said that uncertainty has been spread in the country and the political parties should understand it. He said that the speaker should again call meeting of parliamentary leaders to develop consensus on the bill.

Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour of ANP while appreciating the people of Punjab said that no voice was raised against slash of 9 seat of Punjab province. He said, “Parliamentary leaders have taken decision in the meeting but their leadership did not agree with them. It is conspiracy against the small provinces as their seats are being increased through this legislation.”

Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali of PML-N said that ministers called him to ensure presence in the house but they themselves are absent. “We are not servant of anybody,” he said. He said that the speaker should call a meeting of the parliamentary leaders to develop consensus on the bill.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Barjees Tahir said election should be held on time. He said, “If we do not make legislation timely then there are two options either we will have to delay election or to approach the Supreme Court.” He said that all the members from Punjab agreed to increase the seats of small provinces. “We want election on time for continuity of democracy,” he said.