The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Thursday extended support to the government for the passage of the 20th Amendment to give legal cover to the by-elections held during an incomplete Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on the condition that the government appointed an impartial election commissioner and an impartial caretaker set up to hold the general elections.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Nisar Ali Khan said his party had no objection over the 20th Amendment. However, he said the opposition needed a clear assurance from the government that they would consider the proposals given by the opposition.
Responding to Nisar’s concerns, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said the government was trying to strengthen all institutions, adding that the government would welcome the PML-N’s recommendations. Nisar said the 20th Amendment should not be passed only to provide legal cover to the members of parliament elected in the by-polls but it should be made more meaningful by incorporating the suggestions put forward by the PML-N. He blamed the government for the delay in passing the tenure and privileges of the members of the ECP as despite the opposition’s support for a consensus document, the terms could not be approved by the government.
He also demanded the government give assurance to the nation for an impartial and independent caretaker setup for the next general elections. Nisar asked the government to pass a new accountability bill after developing consensus with the opposition. PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafiq said the passage of the 20th constitutional amendment only for the validity of the members of parliament elected in by-polls would not send a positive message.
