ISLAMABAD: Following the unanimous approval of the 18th Amendment bill by the National Assembly, the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) suddenly took a U-turn and opposed the bill when Senator Mian Raza Rabbani presented it in the Upper House on Monday.
The introduction of the bill in the Senate was delayed for a few hours as the senators took up the issue of police firing in Abbotabad, where seven people were killed while protesting against the renaming of the NWFP as “Khyber-Pukhtoonkhwa’.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on the same day (April 12) when the 1973 Constitution was signed 37 years ago. Adviser to prime minister and chairman parliamentary committee on constitutional reforms Mian Raza Rabbani moved the 18th Amendment bill in the Senate after Leader of the House Syed Nayyer Hussain Bukhari moved the motion to suspend the business of the House.The PML-Q, which did not oppose the bill in the National Assembly, took a U-turn when Wasim Sajjad opposed the bill in the upper house of parliament.
Introducing the bill, Raza Rabbani highlighted the clauses that ensured provincial autonomy and increase in the power of the Senate. He was still on his feet when Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek adjourned the session till Tuesday.
Speaking on the bill, Mian Raza Rabbani said it was an honour to present the 18th Amendment bill in the Senate. He said the unfortunate incident that took place in Abbotabad should not be politicised and the issue should be resolved through dialogue and reconciliation.
He denied that the 18th Amendment has changed the basic structure and fundamentals of the Constitution. “All state organs work within their constitutional ambit, which will strengthen the federation and democracy,” he viewed.
He said when the committee was working on the amendments it decided to minimise the discretions that were available either to the president or the prime minister. “Though it could not be claimed that the committee had removed the discretions but we have minimised them,” he added.
Explaining the different clauses of the bill pertaining to the increase in the powers of the Senate, Mian Raza Rabbani said it was proposed in Article 48 of the Constitution that a joint session of both the houses of parliament would approve holding of a referendum.
He said amendment in Article 59 would increase the Senate seats from 100 to 104 and the provincial assemblies would elect four minority members. He also explained other amendments aimed at ensuring provincial autonomy.
Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=28287
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