The National Assembly Monday passed "The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019" unanimously with 288 votes with more than a two-third majority (228) to increase the number of seats for erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in National Assembly and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from North Waziristan Mohsin Dawar tabled the Bill for its passage. The House unanimously passed the Bill with more than a two-third majority.
The House also approved the amendments presented by Dawar and Minister for Religious Affairs Noor-ul-Haq Qadri to incorporate in the Bill. According to the Bill, the number of National Assembly seats from erstwhile FATA will be increased from 06 to 12. In the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, seats will be increased from 16 to 24. The Bill further described: "Provided that the election to the aforesaid seats shall be held not less than six months and not later than eighteen months of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019. Provided further that the enhancement in the seats shall remain effective till the next census."
Prime Minister Imran Khan also attended the session of the National Assembly and took part in the proceedings of the legislation to show unity with the people of erstwhile FATA. While speaking on the floor of the House, the Prime Minister said that the entire country should contribute to the development of tribal districts in order to address their sense of deprivation and bring the people of these areas into mainstream of politics.
"I urge all provinces to give 3 percent share from their NFC for the development of this area as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alone cannot meet the development needs of tribal districts. I know it's a difficult task given the current economic situation but it is essential because the damages incurred due to the war on terror have been immense." He said that such moves are essential to ensure there is no feeling of alienation anywhere in Pakistan. He said that the then East Pakistan seceded because the people felt a lack of inclusion and representation and sense of deprivation. This feeling has been and is being exploited by our enemies, the Prime Minister said.
"We must now ensure that our development efforts are inclusive; areas that lag behind must be brought to the same level as the rest of the country. No region or people should feel they are not part of Pakistan. This Bill tells the people of the tribal areas that they are as Pakistani as we all," he said. "The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019" was also introduced in the House for creation of new province South Punjab in the province of Punjab. The Bill was presented by MNA Makhdoom Syed Sami-ul-Hassan Gillani.
The House also authorised the Speaker National Assembly to constitute a parliamentary committee comprising treasury as well as opposition members for deliberations on the Bill by approving a motion. While speaking on the floor of the House, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that creation of the South Punjab province is a promise of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with the people of Pakistan.
He said the ruling party would do all in its power to fulfil its promise and would seek the support of all stakeholders to ensure that the bill is passed. "We have done it previously and we again invite the Pakistan Peoples Party to sit down with us for discussions. We will do all that is required to ensure that the people of South Punjab are given their due rights," he added. While responding on the terrorism incident in Gwadar, Qureshi categorically said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be completed at all costs despite impediments being created in its way by certain elements.
He said that the enemies of Pakistan who want to create instability in the country will be defeated and the country will be put on the path of economic development. He said that the completion of CPEC will increase Pakistan's regional connectivity and open new vistas of cooperation with the Central Asian states.
Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that this legislation is necessary to bring the FATA into mainstream and this day is a historic day in parliamentary history. He said that Rs 100 billion additional fund is being given to erstwhile FATA for its development. About negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he said the government must present all conditionalities and agreements with it (IMF) in the House. Former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ahraf of PPP said that his party's bill for creation of South Punjab is already pending in the Senate. He said that the government should take this bill instead of introducing a new bill.
Minister for Housing and Works Chaudhry Tariq Bashir Cheema also introduced "The Naya Pakistan Housing Authority Bill, 2019" and "The Recovery of Mortgage-backed Securities Bill, 2019" in the House.
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