According to sources, the parliamentary committee has approved 49 amendments clause-wise, after which the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment approved by the cabinet will be presented in the Senate tomorrow.
Sources say that the amendment draft has approved the establishment of constitutional courts and increasing the period for deciding pending cases from six months to one year. Similarly, a consensus has also been reached on the amendment related to providing direct funds to local government representatives by the MQM.
On the other hand, the Awami National Party (ANP) has objected to the amendment bill and refused to attend the Prime Minister’s dinner.
The chairman of the committee, Senator Farooq Naik, said during the meeting that “every party has the right to express its opinion, and the opinion that has a strong basis will definitely be considered.”
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said that all parliamentary parties should exercise their right to vote. However, the parliamentary committee expressed regret over the opposition’s non-participation.
According to sources, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen boycotted the meeting. The Senate is likely to formally approve the 27th Constitutional Amendment tomorrow.
