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Govt mulls legislation to stop horse-trading in Senate polls
* Two cabinet committees formed to contact political parties for a constitutional amendment so that upcoming Senate elections can be held through show of hands
ISLAMABAD: The government is considering enacting a law to stop horse trading in the Senate elections. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday expressed his deep concern over the reports of alleged use of money and influence for the forthcoming Senate elections, and directed for immediate steps to make the process transparent, fair and in accordance with the democratic norms. The prime minister stressed ensuring that there was no horse-trading or use of money in the elections. He was presiding over a federal cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office. The prime minister said that his government attached great value to the sanctity of vital national institutions and termed such reports regrettable. The federal cabinet decided that other political parties would be contacted in this regard and if necessary, amendments in the Constitution and laws would be completed prior to the Senate elections, a press release said. Prime Minister Nawaz assigned the federal ministers the task to coordinate all necessary steps in consultation with other mainstream political parties. He further directed for immediate formation of a committee comprising legal experts to deliberate on the legal position and submit its report and recommendations in the next 24 hours. The cabinet decided that other political parties would be contacted over feared horse-trading in the election, and if necessary, amendments in the constitution and laws would be completed prior to the Senate elections, a press release said. The prime minister assigned the federal ministers the task to coordinate all necessary steps in consultation with other mainstream political parties. He further directed for immediate formation of a committee comprising legal experts to deliberate on the legal position and submit its report and recommendations in the next 24 hours. Earlier, the Cabinet offered its condolences on the sad demise of Justice (r) Rana Bhagwandas, former judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and former chairman of Federal Public Services Commission of Pakistan. The cabinet offered its condolences on the demise of Justice (r) Rana Bhagwandas, a former judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and former chairman of Federal Public Services Commission of Pakistan. One-minute silence was observed at the start of the meeting. The prime minister appreciated the role played by Justice Bhagwandas to serve the nation during his long tenure as a Supreme Court judge. He said that the late justice was a firm believer in rule of law, democracy and principles. The secretaries water and power and petroleum and natural resources gave a detailed presentation to the cabinet on energy related issues. The cabinet was informed that LNG-based 3,600MW power generation projects would be completed by December 2017. The prime minister said that action would be taken against all those responsible for any delay in the energy projects as the whole nation was suffering due to energy shortages. He directed that the proposed projects should be completed by February 2017. He emphasised that each day was crucial for the development of the country and directed working on fast track basis to complete the energy projects. In a presentation, the CDA Chairman briefed the Cabinet on the prospects of public-private partnership for carrying out development work in the federal capital. He informed that there were no sustainable sources of income for the organization, which was impacting its capability to carry out required development work. He proposed that public-private-partnership might be allowed to overcome financial constraints being faced by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). In the public-private partnership model, he added, such projects could be initiated which would provide sustainable sources of income to the Authority. The prime minister, while approving the proposal in principle, directed the CDA Chairman to work out necessary amendment required in the CDA laws for approval by the Parliament. In a presentation, the CDA chairman briefed the cabinet on the prospects of public-private partnership for carrying out development work in the federal capital. He informed that there were no sustainable sources of income for the organization, which was impacting its capability to carry out required development work. He proposed that public-private-partnership might be allowed to overcome financial constraints being faced by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). In the public-private partnership model, he added, such projects could be initiated which would provide sustainable sources of income to the Authority.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk