In a session of the National Assembly chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs presented the committee’s report on the Election Act Amendment Bill. The motion to consider the Election Act Amendment Bill was approved by the House.
The motion was presented by Bilal Azhar Kayani, while the opposition opposed it.
Additionally, Ali Muhammad Khan presented an amendment to the Amendment Bill, which was rejected by a majority vote.
During the National Assembly session, Ali Muhammad Khan, expressing his views, said that it is not the Parliament’s job to attack the Supreme Court for political purposes. By legislating, you cannot deprive me of my legitimate right.
Ali Muhammad Khan said that we have obtained the right to reserved seats from the Supreme Court. How can we be deprived of our right? The Supreme Court has stated that PTI is and will remain a political party.
He asked the Election Commission whether PTI is permissible for 39 members and forbidden for 41. We reject this Amendment Bill. Legislation should be in the country’s interest, and we will go to court against this legislation.
In the session, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said that this legislation is in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution and is not unconstitutional. Ali Muhammad Khan said that this legislation is to block our way. Their 41 members took oaths stating their affiliation with the Sunni Ittehad Council.
Azam Nazir Tarar said that your lawyer said that reserved seats are being demanded for the Sunni Ittehad Council. A party that did not participate in the election cannot be given reserved seats. We are not amending any crime.
He said that the legislation is in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution and it is the Parliament’s prerogative. Their 81 members took an oath stating their affiliation with the Sunni Ittehad Council, not PTI. Today, they are reneging on their oaths.
Azam Nazir Tarar said that the reasons are mentioned in the dissenting notes of two judges. PTI itself demanded these seats for the Sunni Ittehad Council. The opposition should not distort facts; we are clarifying the law.
It is noteworthy that the bill states that an affidavit of affiliation with a political party cannot be changed.
According to the amendment bill, a candidate who does not submit the party certificate before obtaining the election symbol will be considered an independent candidate. If a political party does not submit the list of reserved seats within the stipulated time, it will not be entitled to reserved seats.
The amendment bill states that an expression of affiliation with a political party by any candidate within the stipulated time will be irrevocable.
The amendments of the Sunni Ittehad Council and PTI were rejected.
Sunni Ittehad Council’s Sahibzada Sabghatullah presented an amendment. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar opposed the amendment of the Sunni Ittehad Council member, and Sahibzada Sabghatullah’s amendment was rejected by a majority vote.
Ali Muhammad Khan presented an amendment to the Election Act, which was also opposed by the Law Minister, and Ali Muhammad Khan’s amendment was also rejected by a majority vote.
PTI announced to challenge the legislation in the Supreme Court.
PTI National Assembly member Ali Muhammad Khan said that the Election Act Amendment Bill is unconstitutional. How can we be deprived of the right given to us by the Supreme Court through legislation?
Ali Muhammad Khan said that the right to reserved seats has been given to us by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has ruled in our favor, and you want to change it. How can you take away our right? The Election Act Amendment Bill has been introduced for political purposes.
He said that the Supreme Court recognized PTI as a political party and acknowledged our right. I presented my stance before the Standing Committee. Even the symbol of the bat was removed from the ballot papers, yet the public voted in favor.
PTI National Assembly member said that are only 39 members permissible and the rest forbidden? We reject this bill. We strongly protest against it. We will go to the Supreme Court against this legislation, and it will also be rejected there because this bill is not legislation but a fascism of a political party.
Ali Muhammad Khan said that through this law, the Parliament has been used to attack the Supreme Court. Legislation should be done, but it should be in Pakistan’s interest. We will go to the Supreme Court against this legislation.
Legislation is the prerogative of this House alone, said the Law Minister.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said that 81 members took oaths stating they are part of the Sunni Ittehad Council in this House. Today, they say they are part of another party? Stand by one thing. We are only clarifying the election law.
He said that legislation is the prerogative of this House alone, no one else. Under the 99 names of Allah, I say that this legislation is in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Parliament is supreme, but the authority to interpret lies with the Supreme Court.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said that legislation is being done against the Constitution and the law. All this effort is only to obtain the reserved seats for women and minorities by changing Form 47 and forming their government.
He said that we have 68 women and 11 minority seats. We submitted 4 applications to the Election Commission regarding reserved seats. When the nomination papers were filed, the symbol was taken away as part of a conspiracy. We were tried to be defeated but won with a two-thirds majority.
He said that the Supreme Court of Pakistan has stated that PTI is, was, and will remain a political party. This Parliament is supreme, but the authority to interpret lies with the Supreme Court. We will challenge this legislation in the Supreme Court.
Barrister Gohar said that if political parties are not given space, someone else will come. Your fate will be like Hasina Wajid. Yesterday, one of our members passed away, but he couldn’t go home. He wanted to go home but couldn’t due to brutality.
MQM expressed reservations.
MQM Pakistan National Assembly member Farooq Sattar expressed reservations over the approval of the Election Act Amendment Bill, saying that we were not taken into confidence regarding this bill. Legislation done out of spite against a constitutional institution is not right.
He said that before this decision, only political parties were at each other’s throats. After the Supreme Court’s decision, an unending fight has begun. This legislation might be a tactic, but it is a defeat for both the government and the opposition.
Farooq Sattar said that you are not ready to find a path of reconciliation. If this issue had been resolved politically instead of by the court, a way could have been found.
A wrong impression is being given regarding the Election Act.
PPP National Assembly member Shazia Marri said that the House should discuss the people’s issues, and making laws is the Parliament’s job, not the courts. A wrong impression is being given regarding the Election Act. The Election Act Amendment Bill is not against the Supreme Court’s decision, and it ensures loyalty to the party, so how can it be wrong?
She said that you have started digital terrorism. This terrorism will not work now. We will not talk about your aging chairman. Pakistan’s issues are bigger than that person. Give him a fridge, give him an AC, and talk about the people.
Shazia Marri said that I know your pain regarding the Palestine resolution. Your leader supported a Zionist. When a resolution against Pakistan comes in the US Congress, you get happy. The resolution is brought by the biggest supporter of Israel.
She said that condemn the events of May 9. You have fueled hatred. Someone who spreads division and hatred cannot be a patriot. A patriot is someone who spent 14 years in prison and became president. We will pay any price to maintain stability.
Imran Khan did not flee the country after making a deal.
Sunni Ittehad Council leader Hamid Raza said that these people talk about the ideology of Bhutto and Benazir. They have buried the ideology of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. Properties were set on fire after Benazir’s martyrdom.
He said that everything Imran Khan has is in this country. The PTI founder has no property outside the country. He did not flee the country after making a deal; he is still in jail.
Hamid Raza said that fear the time when the wheel of time turns. The hand that rose against our honor will not be allowed to go back. We must remember ethics.
A resolution regarding the amendment to the Indian Constitution was also passed.
In addition, a resolution regarding the amendment to the Indian Constitution was presented in the National Assembly session, which was approved. However, Mahmood Khan Achakzai opposed the resolution against India.
The resolution stated that illegal actions were taken on August 5, 2019, by India. Pakistan observes this day as Kashmir Exploitation Day. The Jammu and Kashmir dispute is still on the United Nations agenda.
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According to the resolution, several resolutions of the UN Security Council have been passed. The House expresses unwavering political, diplomatic, and moral support for Kashmir.
The resolution stated that the House expresses grave concern over the presence of millions of Indian troops. The House rejects irresponsible statements by India.
