ISLAMABAD – It was a rare show of political consensus on Thursday when the 19th Amendment Bill was passed unanimously in the Upper House amid hopes of legislators of many parties that the 20th Amendment should be introduced as well to make education and health a federal subject again.
The House passed the Bill unanimously with 80 votes in favour and one in opposition. However, at the time of clause wise voting of the Bill, Senator Hafiz Rasheed Ahmed from FATA gave his vote against the clause 2. The House passed the clause 2 of the Bill with the majority of 75 votes against one in opposition. Mian Raza Rabbani, Advisor to Prime Minister and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms (PCCR) had moved the Bill before the House.
The parliamentary leaders of all the parties in the House including Molana Ghafoor Haidri of JUI-F, Ishaq Dar from PML-N, Haji Adeel of ANP and Leader of the Opposition, Waseem Sajjad supported the 19th Amendment in their speeches before the passage of the bill. Only Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, parliamentary leader of PML-Q did not speak on the issue as protest, saying the on-going mudslinging and war of words between PML-N and MQM was shameful and he did not want to deliver his speech in a protest.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, after the passage of the 19th Amendment, congratulated the nation and the Senators terming it a landmark and a historical move of the Parliament and demonstration of political maturity. He termed the passage of the two amendments from the Parliament, 18th as well as 19th Amendment, in a year, a marvellous work of the legislators. The Prime Minister also announced to confer the countryÂ’s highest civilian award, Nishan-e-Pakistan to all the members of the PCCR in January next year to in recognition to their marvellous work.
The Premier reiterated the resolve of PPP-led Government that politics of reconciliation would continue, adding that the passage of the bill unanimously was the fall out of the reconciliatory politics. “To make any amendment in the Constitution is the prerogative of the Government and superior judiciary endorsed it after sending back the 18th Amendment in the Parliament for further consideration avoiding any clash among institutions”, he maintained. He said that the Government had abolished the politics of victimisation forever hoping that this trend would continue in the future as well.
The Prime Minister said that until the time his party would remain in majority it would serve the country and if it lost majority, others would be invited to govern the affairs of the country. “But we have to end the politics of speculations”, he added. He also assured the House that the 18th Amendment would be implemented in letter and spirit. He was in fact answering to the apprehensions of many legislators who had said that if 18th Amendment was not implemented in the real sense of the word, it would have serious repercussions for the Federation of the country. He also said that after the devolution of some ministries to the provinces as a result of the 18th Amendment, his government would give due representation to the coalition partners in the federal ministries after reshuffling them. “Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan will be implemented in true letter and spirit”, PM said. Shahid Bugti had raised the question in his speech that Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package was not implemented seriously. On the imposition of agriculture tax, he said that despite the fact it was the domain of provinces, he would consult it with the parliamentarians. He also said that the Cabinet had taken decision to bring reforms in the public sector enterprises. About the accountability bill, he informed the House that the Government wanted to introduce the bill with the consensus but accountability should not be on political grounds. He also said that the Government was doing utmost efforts for the rights of the people of FATA, for the provincial autonomy and for the distribution of money among the provinces through NFC Award.
Prior to the passage of the 19th Amendment, two amendments were proposed in the bill that were not entertained by Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek. In his ruling, the chairman said that both the proposed amendments did not come under the scope of the bill and declared those out of order. Senators Hafiz Rasheed Ahmed and Idrees Safi from FATA had proposed amendment in the bill to include some 25 villages falling in the territorial jurisdiction of Charsadda and Peshawar Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into the territorial jurisdiction of Mohmand Agency. Senator Haroon Akhtar had proposed amendment for the imposition of agriculture income tax.
Many senators from JUI-F, PML-Q while making their speeches on the 19th Amendment said that there should be a uniform education curriculum in the country. They further said that the education as well health sectors should remain within the domain of Federal Government and for this 20th Amendment should be introduced. At the same time some legislators including Abbas Khan Afridi and Mohammad Ali Durrani also proposed for the creation of more provinces. Before the House was adjourned sans die,
Senator Talha Mahmood and Azam Khan Swati supported the creation of Hazara province terming it the deep desire of the people of the area.
Agencies add: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that rumours don’t lead the government to exit door but they are causing only problems and are an impediment on the way to development. “We have found the key to avert any clash between the institutions through passage of this amendment,” he underlined.
“I am saying from the forum of this house that our institutions and Parliament are stronger. We will not make any issue a question of our prestige and will extend full cooperation on the matters of national interests. Those who spread rumours about our government should give one deadline when our government would fall,” he demanded.
“We want to bring accountability bill and we will take along all political leadership including Mian Nawaz Sharif with the spirit of reconciliation as we believe that national interests be given top priority,” he maintained.
To a question about reduction in the strength of ministers, he said the reservations of all the members of Fata would be removed and when cabinet would be reconstituted the allied parties would be given proper representation.
Prime Minister anticipated that the future government would also be a coalition government and underscored the need for tolerating criticism as well as one another.