PR No.51 Islamabad: April 5, 2017

39th meeting of the standing Committee of National Assembly of Pakistan has approved  the two new constitutional amendment bills, the Constitution (Twenty-sixth Amendment) Bill, 2017 and the Constitution (Twenty-seven Amendment) Bill, 2017.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister/MOS for Law and Justice Zafarullah Khan attended the meeting. He said that Government wants to restore 1973 Constitution in its original form. MOS for Law and Justice Zafarullah Khan also said that it is a moment of great jubilance that committee has passed these Amendments that will further strengthens the historic 18th Constitutional Amendment.

The objective of the Twenty-sixth constitutional amendment is to restoring power of delegation by the federal government to its officers or subordinate authorities. Therefore, Amendments to Article 90, 99 and 139 are sought in the bill.

Twenty-seven constitution amendment is prepared as per recommendation of  the Parliamentary committee on Electoral Reforms (PCER) constituted by the Speaker pursuant to unanimous motions passed by the National Assembly and Senate. The Committee consisted of representatives of all the major political parties to examine and make recommendations for electrical reforms.  Amendments to Article 59, 140A, 213, 224, 121, and 208 are sought in the bill.

Twenty-seven constitution amendments will further strengthen the Election Commission of Pakistan in holding local government elections within 120 days of the expiry of their term or dissolution.  Furthermore, the bill gives power to National Assembly to approve procedure of election of the Senators from Islamabad Capital Territory and this power is now with the President. Zafarullah Khan said that Government wants to strengthen Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). He congratulated all the stakeholders in proposing and approving these electoral reforms.

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