We respect judiciary: Prime Minister

The work done by the Parliament through 19th Constitutional Amendment has strengthened the institutions and has paved way for their smooth sailing to avert any future clash, said Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, here on Wednesday. He was addressing the National Assembly after the passage of 19th Amendment Bill with sweeping majority (258 votes in favour), as Kashmala Tariq was the only member who did not vote for the bill in what she termed as 'symbolic' protest.
Kashmala Tariq of PML-Q had urged for moving a step forward from what court had asked the Parliament to do, saying there is a need to simplify the procedure in the constitution regarding creation of new provinces, revisit of Article 63 of the Constitution that gave immense powers to party head and the provision demanding intra-party elections.
"Today we have proved that we respect judiciary," said the PM. Recalling constitutional amendments of the past, Prime Minister Gilani said that our system of government had turned into a 'hotchpotch' as it was neither Parliamentary nor Presidential. But our founding father Muhammad Ali Jinnah had envisioned a parliamentary system.
"It has been proved today that none other than this Parliament can keep the vision of our founding father alive," he maintained. He said that several amendments have been made to the 1973 Constitution, however, they were meant for strengthening and enhancing the powers of individuals.
In addition, the impression that the Parliament and Judiciary cannot coexist has also been shattered today and we have proved that institutions in Pakistan can work together, he said. The Prime Minister said that the nation has also welcomed and accepted this vision.
He paid rich tribute to the political leadership of the country, Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms, Parliament and Mian Raza Rabbani, Chairman of the Committee. He also said that the committee deserves to be awarded with highest civil award of the country.
Meanwhile, Ahsan Iqbal of PML-N felicitated the parliament for a landmark achievement, which had shattered the clouds of mistrust. He also acknowledged the fact that the apex court had regarded parliament's sovereign role of law making by referring the matter back to it. He, however, urged for establishment of a commission, similar to that of judicial commission for appointment of career diplomats and heads of public institutions like PIA, PSO, NICL, Pakistan Steel Mills etc.
Sheikh Waqas of PML-Q, Parvez Khan of MQM, Maulana Attaur Rehman of JUI-F, Muneer Orakzai were the other members who congratulated the Prime Minister and the Parliament over the achievement. Earlier, Senator Rabbani had moved the bill of 19th Constitutional Amendment after report on it was approved by the house on Tuesday.
The parliamentary committee for constitutional reforms was entrusted the task after the Supreme Court referred Article 175A - the new mechanism for appointment of superior courts' judges inserted through the 18th Amendment - to parliament for reconsideration. However, it held that certain provisions of the amendment that had been challenged would come into effect forthwith. Some 26 petitioners had challenged several provisions of the amendment.