Islamabad: The parliamentary committee has approved 49 points of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, and preparations have been completed to present the bill in the Upper House tomorrow.
According to sources, the new amendment bill has extended the period of establishment of constitutional courts and decisions on pending cases from six months to one year. In addition, an amendment to provide direct funds to local government representatives has also been approved on the proposal of MQM Pakistan.
However, the Awami National Party has refused to attend the Prime Minister’s dinner, raising objections to some points of the amendment.
Committee Chairman Farooq Naik said that the opinions of all parties will be respected and any point of disagreement can be further considered.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said in a conversation with the media that parliamentary parties should play their role in the constitution-making process. According to him, the absence of the opposition is regrettable, however, the government is keeping the door open for parliamentary consensus.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, JUI-F, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and Majlis-e-Wahdat Muslimeen maintained their decision not to attend the meeting. It is expected that the Senate will approve the 27th Constitutional Amendment tomorrow.
