Advisor to Prime Minister and Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms (PCCR) Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani will table the draft of 18th Amendment Bill 2010, in both Houses of the Parliament, separately, on Friday. The Secretariat sources told Business Recorder on Thursday that the 18th Amendment Bill has been put on the agenda of the National Assembly to be taken Friday.
They said besides the Bill, two calling attention notices and 'The National Defence University Bill, 2009' are also on the agenda. The Secretariat sources said after placing the draft, the PCCR Chairman would give brief statements in both the Houses. Another source told Business Recorder that it is most likely that the draft will be approved with two-third majority in both the Houses after discussion for three to four days.
The sources said both Houses may be prorogued after taking up the draft of 18th Amendment Bill and summoned after presidential joint session. Sources said President Zardari would address joint session of the Parliament on Monday. Before Zardari's address, the draft would be tabled in both Houses.
When contacted, presidential sources confirmed that the President would address the joint session of the Parliament on Monday (5th April). They said all the PPP leaders would gather in Larkana on Sunday (4th April) to observe 31st death anniversary of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
Earlier, PCCR Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani presented the draft of the 18th Amendment Bill to National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza. The Parliament's committee Room-5 in which the ceremony was held has been renamed as "Constitutional Room." Speaking on the occasion, PCCR Chairman Senator Raza Rabbani appreciated the role of the committee members saying. "We are trying to lay foundation of democratic Pakistan keeping in view 1973 Constitution."
Dr Fehmida Mirza congratulated the members and the Chairman of PCCR, saying March 31, the signing day of the draft, has become a historic day and no dictator will dare distorting this unanimous constitutional document in future. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani also met PCCR members after the ceremony and congratulated them.