News
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Clause 17(4) of 18th Amend will be challenged in SC: Fatiana
LAHORE: The clause 17(4) of the 18th Amendment, which exempts parties from intra-party elections, will be challenged in the Supreme Court as it limits the leadership of political parties to a few families, PML-Q parliamentarian Riaz Fatiana said on Monday. He said the passage of the 18th Amendment was a good omen, but he had reservations on some clauses, adding that he had voted against clause 17(4) in the National Assembly and would challenge it in the Supreme Court. Fatiana said both federal and provincial governments should set up an “election fund” in the forthcoming budgets, which should be spent through the Election Commission for bringing out political parties from the influence of some families. He said he also had reservations over the removal of the concurrent list, as it would weaken the federation, adding that the 18th Amendment did not consider the deadline for local bodies elections, which he called against the constitution. The PML-Q leader said he did not expect any change on the political landscape, however, the situation might change by the end of 2010 if the PML-N demands mid-term elections. To a question on terrorism, Fatiana said if the government wants to root out this menace, it should nationalise religious educational institutes, adding that these institutes are preaching extremism. staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk