20th constitutional amendment: 'consensus between PPP, PML-N evolved
Consensus between the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has been developed on the draft of 20th constitutional amendment in the constitution, it was learnt. However, PPP has sought more time to take its coalition partners into confidence on the fresh move.
Speaking to media representatives after the meeting, Federal Minister, Khursheed Shah said, "negotiations with PML-N are moving ahead steadily." He said government has decided to put forward draft of the bill to the Cabinet. "It will be made public after cabinet's approval," he added. Shah said a special session of National Assembly would soon be convened for tabling 20th constitutional amendment. He said that all issues relating to the issue would be sorted out within two to three days.
Information Minister, Firdous Ashiq Awan said some progress has been made in the talks with opposition and they will soon announce 'good news' in this regard. The fourth session of the talks was attended by Federal Ministers, Khursheed Shah and Naveed Qamar and Senator Raza Rabbani, while the opposition was represented by PML-N senator Ishaq Dar, Zahid Hamid and Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
According to sources, the PM and Leader of Opposition in NA would suggest names for the interim set up. They said that PPP government would present the draft of the amendment in the upcoming meeting of Cabinet for approval. In this regard, it would take its coalition partners into confidence.
Sources said that government has taken Muttahida Qaumi Movement into confidence over the decisions. They said that a six-member committee comprising three members, each from PPP and PML-N, would be constituted to give final touch to the draft of 20th Amendment in the Constitution. This constitutional amendment bill seeks to validate more than two dozen post-18 amendment by-elections.