Islamabad (October 05, 2017): National Assembly on Thursday passed a bill unanimously to amend the recently-passed Election Reforms Act 2017 for restoring Khatm-e-Nabuwwat oath.
When the session of National Assembly resumed, Law Minister Zahid Hamid tabled the Bill in the House.
Click Play Button to Watch this Video
The house unanimously passed the Bill.
Earlier in the day, leaders of parliamentary parties held a meeting at Speaker’s chamber to discuss the bill for restoring the clauses related to nomination papers.
After discussing the Bill in speaker chamber, all the parliamentary leaders agreed to restore the oath and other clauses related to Khatm-e-Nabuwwat in their original form.
Later, National Assembly session resumed with Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in the chair.
Law Minister Zahid Hamid presented the bill in the house after rules were telexed for tabling the Bill.
Earlier on Wednesday, the government was forced to reconsider its stance by a political storm over a controversial amendment in the Khatm-iNabuwwat declaration for electoral candidates.
At the outset of National Assembly proceedings, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq referred to the ongoing controversy and invited parliamentary leaders to his chambers for a discussion on the matter.
Addressing reporters outside Parliament House following the meeting, the speaker conceded that a mistake had been made, adding that all parties had reached a consensus to restore the declaration to its original form.
He said the rules of the house would be suspended to allow for the amendment in the Elections Act 2017 to be moved and passed on Thursday (today).
On Tuesday, Law Minister Zahid Hamid had forcefully opposed calls for such an amendment, but was forced to agree following the speaker`s intervention on Wednesday.
When asked whose mistake it was, Mr Sadiq avoided giving a clear answer, saying only that it was always good to acknowledge and rectify one`s mistakes.
Related News:
