News
Friday, February 10, 2012
Govt, opposition agree on draft 20th Amendment* Khursheed Shah says draft will be presented in cabinet meeting soon for final approval
* MQM wants matter of new provinces incorporated in draft
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: After four days of intense talks, the government and the opposition on Thursday went ahead with a draft of the 20th Constitutional Amendment as the government conceded to the opposition’s demand that a neutral caretaker government would be set up to hold the general elections.
The government had agreed to the opposition’s demand that the caretaker setup be made part of the 20th Amendment, currently awaiting the parliament’s nod to give a legal cover to the members of parliament elected during the tenure of an incomplete Election Commission of Pakistan.
Contrary to the holding of meeting in the opposition leader’s chamber, both sides met in Mian Raza Rabbani’s chamber and reached the consensus by preparing the first draft of the 20th Constitutional Amendment carrying the suggestions of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
The government’s ally, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) also joined the talks for the first time since the start of the negotiations between the two parties and reportedly wanted that its demand for the creation of new provinces should also be made part of the amendment.
PPP leader Khursheed Shah termed the talks fruitful and said that representatives from both the sides reached a consensus and prepared the first draft of the amendment.
He said that a session of the federal cabinet would be held in a couple of days, where the government would get approval from its allied parties and give formal clearance to the draft to be presented before parliament.
The PML gave several suggestions, which have been accommodated in the first draft. The suggestions include the establishment of a caretaker government and appointment of an impartial chief election commissioner. It has also been suggested that the Election Commission members should be appointed for a five-year term and be given the status of a high court judge.
The opposition also suggested giving the relevant party discretion to amend list of female members on special seats.
It was also suggested that remaining departments should be handed over to the provinces under true spirit of the 18th Amendment.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk