Way paved for Nawaz Sharif return as PML-N chief

Islamabad: Ousted Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is set to return as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) chief under a new law around two months after being forced by the Supreme Court to vacate the post.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had de-notified Nawaz Sharif as a member of the National Assembly in the light of the Supreme Court’s July 28 verdict in which he was convicted for hiding assets rendering him ineligible to lead his party as its President.

The government has now got the amended Elections Bill 2017 passed from Senate despite the fact that chairman Raza Rabbani walked out. The new legislation paves the way for ousted premier Nawaz Sharif to become head of the PML-N again.

During the Senate proceedings, the treasury benches with the help of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement MQM) and the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) defeated an amendment - sought by Leader of Opposition in Senate Aitzaz Ahsan in clause 203 which stated that someone who was no longer a member of the National Assembly could not become the chief of a party either.  

The clause 203, to which Senator Ahsan had proposed an amendment, envisaged electoral reforms including a fine of up to Rs 0.1 million on lawmakers or three years in jail if irregularities were found in details of their assets and termination of lawmakers’ membership if they fail to submit asset details within 60 days. It also granted Election Commission of Pakistan powers allowing it to summon services of any institution to investigate irregularities.

A vote count was held on the proposed amendment in clause 203 of the bill with 38 lawmakers rejecting the amendment against 37 lawmakers who pressed to pass it.

Railways Minister Saad Rafique played a key role in mustering the support of the MQM and the BNP-M in defeating the amendment with one vote.

The Elections Bill 2017, which contained 241 clauses was moved by Minister for Law Zahid Hamid, also envisaged reforms to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the country. The bill also included some amendments moved by opposition members.The bill, which was approved by the National Assembly in August, gives every citizen the right to be part of a political party or create one, except those who are in government service.

The law minister said that long and protracted deliberations were held to craft this ‘consensus’ document.

After the passage of the bill, Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan said that with the approval of clause 203, Nawaz Sharif could become the party chief again. “In fact, it can be considered that he has already become the party chief,” he added.

Senate Chairman Rabbani staged a walkout from the Upper House saying he had done so as the House had voted against his decision to disallow Law Minister Zahid Hamid from moving an amendment for undoing an amendment to clause 60 of the bill.

“During consideration of clause 60 of the bill, an amendment was moved which was put to the House,” Mr Rabbani said in a statement. “Thirty-nine members voted in favour of the amendment and 38 against the same. Consequently, the amendment was carried.”