PPP, PML-N reach consensus on 20th Amendment Bill

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Monday reached a consensus on the 20th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2012, which is aimed at giving constitutional cover to the by-elections held under incomplete Election Commission after 18 Amendment.

Senior PPP leader and Minister for Religious Affairs Khurshi Shah told media that the two parties evolved consensus on the bill, which would be passed unanimously.

Earlier, the PML-N had refused to back the amendment bill, setting tough conditions for extending its support. It had announced that it would only support the amendment provided the government ensures an independent election commission by enhancing the tenure of the EC members from existing two years to 5 years, appointing Chief Election Commissioner with opposition’s consensus and guaranteeing neutral caretaker set up for conducting upcoming general elections.

A government team headed by Khursheed Shah had held negotiation with the PML-N leadership over the amendment bill. On Monday, Shah announced that the two parties had reached a consensus on the bill and now it would be passed unanimously from the parliament. He said that the government had accepted PML-N demands to raise the tenure of CEC members and appointment of Chief Election Commissioner in consultation with opposition.

He said that before next general election a neutral caretaker set up would be established for holding free, fair and independent elections.

Posted in: NATIONAL