ECP's reconstitution under 18th amendment: opposition submits names for formation of parliamentary body

Opposition parties, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) on Monday submitted four names to the Speaker of the National Assembly for formation of Parliamentary Committee to reconstitute the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) under 18th Amendment of the Constitution.
Sources in National Assembly's Secretariat told Business Recorder that PML-N had nominated MNAs Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Tehmina Daultana and Lieutenant General Abdul Qadir (Retd), while the PML-Q nominated MNA Engineer Amir Muqam. The sources said that Leader of House in the National Assembly Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had yet to submit the names from treasury side for the formation of the Parliamentary Committee.
On the other hand, Leader of House in the Senate Nayyer Hussain Bokhari has already nominated Senators Islamuddin Shaikh of PPP and Haji Muhammad Adeel of ANP to represent the government in the parliamentary committee. The PML-N has given the name of Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar-ul-Haq while PML-Q has nominated Senators Haroon Akther Khan and Professor Khursheed Ahmed by Jamaat-e-Islami(JI).
The Parliamentary Committee would consist of maximum twelve members, eight from the National Assembly and four from the Senate. According to the 18th Amendment of the Constitution, "the Parliamentary Committee to be constituted by the Speaker shall comprise 50 percent members from treasury benches and 50 percent from opposition benches, based on their strength in Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), to be nominated by the respective Parliamentary Leaders." "Provided further that the total strength of the Parliamentary Committee shall not exceed twelve members out of which one-third shall be from the Senate."