Senate of Pakistan approves 18th amendment unanimously

ISLAMABAD: Following foot-steps of national Assembly, Senate of Pakistan on Thursday, unanimously approved the 18th Amendment Bill, deleting former military dictator Ziaul Haq’s name from the constitution, annulling Article 58(2b) of the constitution and renaming NWFP as “Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa”.

Earlier this week National Assembly of Pakistan approved 18th amendment bill by 292 votes in favour through division of house.

From political cosmetics to fundamental righting of wrongs, the amendments had it all, including the removal of dictator General Ziaul Haq’s name from the Constitution, declaring General Musharraf coup of October 12, 1999 as illegal and unlawful, nullifying the Legal Framework Order 2002. In all, the amendment has amended 102 clauses.

The 18th Amendment Bill was approved unanimously in the senate on Thursday by 92 votes in its favor. The House passed the bill containing 102 clauses, rejecting a few objections moved by the members regarding the Concurrent List, renaming the NWFP, intra-party elections and women seats in the House and within parties.

Senate started its proceedings at 11am and passed the bill clause-by-clause, concluding the process at 4:55 pm.

The senators celebrated the passage of the 102-clause bill with a prolonged thumping of desks. “It is a matter of celebration for all the democratic parties. Feelings of joy are visible in the House.

Now, the President will have the authorities bestowed upon him by the constitution of 1973. All the rest of the authorities will go to the Prime Minister. For declaring emergency, a unanimous resolution of national and provincial assemblies will be a must. The President will be able to dissolve assemblies on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The appointments of the Chiefs of army, air force and navy, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Governor will be done on the advice of the PM. The PM will appoint the Chief election commissioner after consultation with the opposition leader.

On 31st March 2010 Parliamentary Committee for Constitutional reforms reached a consensus and signed the historical document of the draft bill of 18th amendment .The Committee comprising of 27 members was constituted last year for freeing the constitution from impediments of certain dictators. All the parties discussed on 278 articles of the constitution.

This committee proposed almost 100 amendments during nine months and ten days. The President Asif Ali Zardari had asked the Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza to set up such a committee in March of last year during a joint parliamentary session and a 27 member committee was established on 23 June of 2009.The task assigned to it was to undergo a thorough probe of the constitution, abolish the 17th amendment and strike a balance between the authorities of the Prime Minister and the President.

All the leaders of important parties except JUI Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Anp Chief Asfandyar Wali Khan were present in the meeting when the document was signed.

According to the amended constitution 17th amendment has been abolished. 58-2(b) has also been abolished . The President will have the authorities bestowed upon him by the constitution of 1973.

All the rest of the authorities will go to the Prime Minister. For declaring emergency, a unanimous resolution of national and provincial assemblies will be a must. The President will be able to dissolve assemblies on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The appointments of the Chiefs of army, air force and navy, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Governor will be done on the advice of the PM. The PM will appoint the Chief election commissioner after consultation with the opposition leader.

For ensuring the provincial autonomy it is decided that 25 ministries will be handed over to provinces .It is also decided that high court will be established in Islamabad. The provision of ban on thrice becoming the PM or Chief Minister is also wiped away. In order to maintain the sanctity of the constitution it is decided that whosoever will fiddle with it, he will be subjected to disciplinary action under article 6. The working days of the Senate are now increased to 110 from 90. The minorities will be also given representation in the Senate. One seat will be reserved for them. The Chief Ministers are now restricted not to appoint more than 5 advisers with them. The working days of the provincial assemblies are increased from 70 to 10. Similarly many other amendments are also presented.