Govt wants to get amendments passed as NA, Senate meet

ISLAMABAD: The two Houses of Parliament will meet here separately this week to dispose of important agenda. The ruling alliance is keen on getting through a constitutional amendment to protect the dual nationality holders and legislation to set up the National Accountability Commission (NAC) to replace the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Federal Law and Justice Minister Farook H Naek has been trying to get approved the two pieces of legislation besides some other bills but the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) failed in gathering the required number on every occasion. Theso-called accountability bill that was bulldozed by the ruling alliance in the standing committee is likely to be passed in the same manner by the National Assembly. The opposition views the accountability law as a piece of legislation that provides protection to the corrupt.

The passage of the constitutional amendment is becoming difficult since it requires two-thirds majority of the two houses separately. It appears that the current parliament wouldn’t be able to pass the constitutional amendment for the dual nationality holders because the alliance leaders are finding it difficult to muster the required support for the purpose. The demise of two senators belonging to the ruling party has further weakened the position of the ruling alliance and it wouldn’t be able to collect the required numerical strength for the passage of the constitutional amendment.

On the other side, the National Assembly has lost about one and a half dozen members on account of technical reasons, including dual nationality. The National Assembly will be in session from today (Monday) while the Senate will commence its sitting on Wednesday.

The sources reminded that the main opposition party, led by Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, has lost its interest and hope in the present National Assembly. The leader of the opposition came in the House only once during the whole last session. Some new members who won the by-polls would take oath on Monday. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) will agitate on delimitation of the constituencies and enrolment of voters.

National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza is the acting president of the country these days in the absence of chairman Senate and she wouldn’t be able to chair the National Assembly session. Acting Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi will chair the National Assembly session while acting chairman Senate Sabir Baloch will chair the session of the Upper House from Wednesday. Chairman Senate Nayyar Bukhari has gone to India and will return by the weekend, the sources said.

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