Updated on
Summary Government and Opposition have reached consensus and prepared first 20th Amend draft.
This has been revealed by PPP leader Khursheed Shah, who said that fruitful talks were held in the chamber of Raza Rabbani and representatives from both sides reached a consensus and prepared first draft of the amendment.He said a session of the federal cabinet would be held in a couple of days, where the government would get the nod from its allied parties and give formal clearance to the draft to be presented before the parliament.However, it is learnt that the MQM has reservations on the first draft as the party wants the matter of new provinces to be given place in the draft.The session of the National Assembly was again delayed on 20th Amend issue on Thursday due to preparation of the draft.The PML gave several suggestion which have been accomodated in the first draft. The suggestions include the establishment of a caretaker government and appointment of an impartial Chief Election Commission. It has also been suggested that Election Commission members should be appointed for a five-year term and given status equal to that of a High Court judge.The opposition also suggested giving the relevant party discretion to amend list of female members on special seats.It was also suggested that remaining departments should be handed over to the provinces under true spirit of the 18th Amendment.The PML-N also put a suggestion that consultation of the PM with the opposition leader for establishment of caretaker government is not enough; there should be unanimity between the two.The draft would be finalised today after the nod of the higher leadership of the political parties in talks.
