Govt set to get allies support over election law amendments

ISLAMABAD: All the political parties in the ruling coalition have assured full support for the amendments to the Election Act in both houses of the Parliament.

A meeting of the ruling parliamentarians, presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held at the PM House on Thursday, decided to get the second amendment to the Election Act passed by the National Assembly on Friday (today).

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs had approved these amendments in its meeting on Wednesday.

The 209-member majority alliance also decided to show complete unity to defeat any attempt to harm the national interests by any party.

The National Assembly has issued a 9-point agenda for Friday’s session, which does not include Election Act amendment bill. However, the Chairman of the Standing Committee will present the amendment in the House with the special permission of the House.

Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Azam Nazir Tarar, who played an important role in the approval of draft law in the Standing Committee meeting, will respond to any objection raised by the Opposition. The Opposition has decided to protest against the approval of this draft law.

It is believed that after the amendments to the Election Act are passed, the PTI will not get reserved seats, though it’s chairman Barrister Gohar Ali has announced the party will challenge the amendments in the Supreme Court.

It has been learned Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (JUI) has decided to remain neutral at the legislative stage regarding amendments to the Election Act. Earlier, in the Standing Committee meeting, JUI member Ms Shahida Akhtar did not use her vote despite participating in the discussion.

The meeting at the Prime Minister’s House was attended by lawmakers of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, People’s Party, Balochistan Awami Party, MQM Pakistan, Istekhkam Pakistan Party, Muslim League-Q, Muslim League-Zia and National Party. Prime Minister said he was grateful to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto who is returning next week after a private visit to the US, UK and Dubai.

Meanwhile, source told this correspondent the PTI’s announcement to form a grand opposition alliance is in fact admission of failure of Tehreek-i-Tahafaz-i-Aaien Pakistan (Pakistan Constitution Protection Movement) Pakhtun nationalist leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai.

Opposition sources say Achakzai, who is considered to be a good negotiator, was expected to open the door for negotiations with the quarters concerned, but perhaps no institution or political party because of his hard line against the establishment.