Addressing the National Assembly after the House adopted a landmark bill by two-third majority, the prime minister said both the treasury and opposition benches had shown a great spirit by supporting the government to enact the legislation.

He said the government had been striving to make the legislation for the last four years and had formed a FATA Reforms Committee led by Sartaj Aziz. Based on the committee recommendations, an implementation body was formed, comprising all stakeholders which helped to evolve consensus, he added.

The prime minister thanked opposition leaders Syed Khurshid Shah, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Farooq Sattar for supporting the government and help accelerate the passage of the bill despite specific complications.

He said it has been ensured in the bill that the general elections are not delayed, consequent to any eventuality in aftermath of the bill as it had provided all timelines for holding the local government, provincial assembly and other elections.

The prime minister viewed that Pakistan could not afford any delay in elections as the incumbent government would continue till May 31, 2018 that required constitutionally to hold general elections within 60 days.