NA passes bill to circumvent reserved seats ruling

The National Assembly has approved a bill proposing amendments to the Elections Act 2017 to bar lawmakers from changing their party affiliation at a later stage.

The bill was passed with a majority vote amid strong protests and noise from the opposition.

The National Assembly meeting was chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in which the Chairman Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs presented the report of the Elections Act Amendment Bill Committee.

Meanwhile, the Election Act Amendment Bill was presented to the National Assembly for approval, while a motion was also presented to consider the Election Act Amendment Bill, which was approved by the House.

The motion was moved by Bilal Azhar Kayani which was strongly opposed by the opposition. The opposition members protested and raised slogans in the House and surrounded the Speaker’s dais and tore copies of the agenda.

Meanwhile, Ali Muhammad Khan presented an amendment to the amendment bill, which was opposed by the law minister.

Law Minister Azam Nazir said that this legislation is in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution and not unconstitutional. Ali Muhammad Khan said that this legislation is to block our way. 41 of our members gave affidavits that they belonged to the Sunni Itthehad Council.

Ali Muhammad Khan said that the Supreme Court has said that PTI was, is and will remain a political party. He asked the Election Commission whether PTI is halal for 39 members and haram for 41 members. We reject this amendment bill, make the legislation but it should be in the interest of the country, we will go to court against this legislation, he added.