The Federal Cabinet will approve the Twentieth Amendment Bill, 2012 on Tuesday (today) by first withdrawing Twentieth Amendment, Bill 2011 from the parliament. Till the passage of the bill in the assembly only two Federal Minister, i.e. Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Dr Asim Hussain retained control over their portfolios through their appointments as advisor to the prime minister on finance and petroleum and natural resources.
In order to give effect to a Supreme Court direction the Constitution (Twentieth Amendment), Bill, 2011 was introduced in the National Assembly. However, during deliberations holistic and exhaustive proposals came up for further strengthening the independence of Election Commission of Pakistan and for setting up of interim cabinet. Therefore, a new draft titled the Constitution (Twentieth Amendment Bill, 2012) was drafted.
The government has finalised the draft amendment in consultation with the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Ch Nisar Ali Khan and other political allies. As the National Assembly and Senate pass the Amendment, the 18 suspended Parliamentarians will return to the Houses. -MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN
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