Parliamentary body to hold meeting on 11th on NAB law: Speaker

Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Saturday said that consultations will be held for amendments in NAB laws and the parliamentary committee is holding its meeting on January 11, to suggest necessary changes in the existing NAB laws.
Talking to media after enquiring after the health of JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman at Ittefaq Hospital, Sardar Ayaz said that National Assembly would stand dissolved on June 3, 2018 after completion of its tenure and both government and the opposition would have to set its priorities for budget 2018-19. "We need to decide before hand whether the incumbent government would prepare budget in 2018 or it would be left over to the interim government," he said.
When asked about continuous absence of PTI Chief Imran Khan from National Assembly, Ayaz said that as per law, a member was de-seated for absence from the house for over 40 days. "We don't want to use this law against any elected representatives if anyone is not coming to National Assembly, it is his choice, he added. When a question was raised about Panamagate case, Ayaz said that he did not want to comment on it, as this matter was pending in the court.
To another query, Ayaz praised Pakistan Peoples Party for its positive approach in the National Assembly. He said that the PPP did not talk about derailing democracy. Answering another question about "Ehtesab Bill" passed by the Senate, Ayaz said the decision on the bill would be taken under the law as and when a member of National Assembly would table it before the house.
He further said that before NA session, the House Business Advisory Committee's meeting was held wherein it was decided how to run the house. He added that he run the house as per the decision of the Advisory committee. Analysts believe there seems to be a consensus developing between the government and opposition against certain National Accountability Bureau powers, as the PML-N and the PTI opposed NAB's plea bargain provision. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif already said the plea bargain offered by NAB to accused persons is a fraud, while Imran Khan had said the plea bargain law was promoting corruption.