Joint sitting of Parliament passes Electoral Reforms Amendment Bill

The joint session of the Parliament on Wednesday passed three important bills including the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs), the Second Election Amendment Bill 2021, and the Kulbhushan Jadhav bill allowing him the right to appeal amid the hues and cry of the opposition.

The bills related to the use of EVMs and Second Election Amendment Bill 2021 were presented by Adviser to Parliamentary Affairs Dr Bbar Awan in the joint session of the Parliament.

The bills were passed with the majority.

Later, the joint sitting also passed the bill allowing Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav to appeal in the ICJ. The bill was presented by Federal Law and Justice Minister Barrister Farogh Naseem.

Following the passage of the bills, the opposition started making hues and cry and tore the copies of the agenda. The Speaker NA tried to maintain the decorum of the house, but the opposition continued disturbing the house.

According to details, 221 lawmakers supported the motion while only 203 members of the opposition opposed the resolution.

Highly anticipated joint session of Parliament is underway as government hopes to pass about two dozen bills and the opposition prepares to give tough time to the treasury benches.

President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif

President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif has called electronic voting machines (EVMs) "evil and vicious machines".

Addressing the session, Opposition Leader of National Assembly said that the government and its allies wanted to bulldoze important bills and termed it "illegal" and said that it spoiled the traditions of Parliament.

PML-N President said that initially the session was postponed and the government said it wanted to consult with the opposition on the issue but it was a ploy to buy time so that the government could secure the votes it needed. You had no intention of doing consultations on the issue, he added.

He said that there are always allegations of rigging during the elections but this is the first time in history that there are allegations of rigging before the elections. The "selected government" wanted to introduce EVMs because it can no longer ask the people for votes, he added.

PML-N President asked Asad Qaiser to defer the joint session so “comprehensive consultation” could take place on the matter of electoral reforms.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that PTI doesn’t want to impose black law rather it is striving to eliminate the bad practices of previous governments.

Speaking in joint session of the Parliament, the minister said that questions were raised on every election conducted after 1970. The time has come to improve our direction and focus on the development of the country, he added.

Qureshi said that we are tabling the bills as we have required majority for their approvals. PTI government is determined to move forward in a democratic way, he expressed.

The minister said that we are introducing EVMs to bury evil desires.

Opposition won’t accept next election if govt passes black laws: Bilawal

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that government is going forward with one-sided electoral reforms which have never before been seen in the country’s history.

While referring to previous government former PM Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal said that the PML-N had clear majority and if it unilaterally decided and used the majority to force reforms, then the PTI and the PPP would not have been able to do anything.

"If they had decided to introduce a constitutional amendment, then we would have to accept their decision. But they achieved a consensus," he said.

He said that if we carried out reforms together then the next election would not be controversial and it would have been Khan Sahab’s success.

However, he said that the opposition would not accept the results of the next election if the government continued in the manner it was proceeding in.

He also reminded the speaker that he is the custodian of the National Assembly of Pakistan and had agreed in writing with the Opposition that whatever legislation is brought in will be done with consensus.

Speaking about the EVM, he said even the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has rejected it and raised 37 serious objections over the machine.

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Introducing EVMs to bury evil desires: FM Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) doesn’t want to impose black law rather it is striving to eliminate the bad practices of previous governments.

Speaking in joint session of the Parliament, the minister said that questions were raised on every election conducted after 1970. The time has come to improve our direction and focus on the development of the country, he added.

Qureshi said that we are tabling the bills as we are having required majority for their approvals. PTI government is determined to move forward in a democratic way, he expressed.

The minister said that we are introducing electronic voting machines (EVMs) to bury evil desires.

Earlier, Qureshi said that the government intends to introduce important laws that will ensure transparency in elections and protect people s rights.

Talking to the media in Parliament House, he said the legislation being carried out today would strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in the country.

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Will reject next elections from today if EVM bill is bulldozed: Bilawal

Addressing the session, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari criticised the government's "one-sided" electoral reforms which have never before been seen in the country's history.

He said that during the government of former premier Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N had a two-third majority. "If that government had unilaterally decided and used the majority to force reforms, then the PTI and the PPP would not have been able to do anything.

"If they had decided to introduce a Constitutional amendment, then we would have to accept their decision. But they achieved a consensus," he said.

He said that if the government had followed in the footsteps of its predecessor, then the opposition would have taken part in the legislation process. "If we carried out reforms together then the next election would not be controversial and it would have been Khan Sahab's success."

However, he said that the opposition would not accept the results of the next election if the government continued in the manner it was proceeding in.

He said that the PML-N and the PPP supported giving voting rights to overseas Pakistanis. "Despite this, the government wants to carry out one-sided legislation."

Bilawal noted that overseas Pakistanis had representation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and called for introducing a similar system.

"How can we accept your suggestion where Pakistanis sitting in Paris, California and Britain decide for the people of Karachi and the tribal areas? They should have their own electoral college."

He said that the government's efforts, that were based on bad intentions, had been underway for some time and said that it had given an NRO to Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.

"If you have to give relief to anyone then it should be the poor people of Pakistan who are facing a multitude of problems [...] how can you expect that we will permit you to use this House to give an NRO to that Indian spy?"

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif 

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday termed electronic voting machines (EVMs) "evil and vicious machines" and accused the government of not being sincere in creating a consensus on electoral reforms.

Addressing the joint session of parliament, Shehbaz said that the government and its allies wanted to bulldoze important bills. He termed it "illegal" and said that it was equivalent to spoiling the traditions of parliament.

Shehbaz, who had earlier today written a letter to National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser airing his grievances about the haste in passing the bills without a consensus, said that initially the joint session was delayed after the government said it would consult with the opposition on the issue.

"You sent a letter to me and the whole joint opposition," he said, adding that in response he submitted a comprehensive answer with "great suggestions". "But speaker, you cancelled your contact and we received no answer from you."

Commenting on the proposal for consultations, he called it a "ploy to buy time" so that the government could secure the votes it needed. "You had no intention of doing consultations on the issue."

He said that there are always allegations of rigging during the elections. "This is the first time in history that there are allegations of rigging before the elections."

He claimed that the "selected government" wanted to introduce EVMs because it can no longer ask the people for votes.

Talking about the results transmission system (RTS), the opposition leader said that the government came into power in 2018 using the 'road transport system'. "Now the road transport system is being abandoned for the evil [and] vicious machine."

Shehbaz asked the speaker to defer the joint session so “comprehensive consultation” could take place on the matter of electoral reforms.

Addressing Qaiser, Shehbaz said that the people will not forgive him if he allowed the bills to be bulldozed in today's session and urged him to recognise his responsibility as speaker of the House. He also decried the "illegal and unconstitutional" way the bills were presented.

He said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which is responsible for carrying out fair and transparent elections, had also expressed its reservations about EVMs. "They want to pass these laws despite their reservations."

He said that the party that had once talked about democracy, transparency and change, now wanted to pass "black laws".

"If you allow this black law to be passed, then Pakistan will be severely damaged for which responsibility will be on you and them," he said while addressing Qaiser.

Shehbaz also stated that the several countries had rejected the "evil and vicious machines".

"If the government used the energy that it is spending on this issue to tackle inflation, then we might have seen a difference. But they are not concerned. They are only concerned with remaining in power without securing the people's vote."

'EVMs will be used to bury evil, vicious designs'

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi began his speech by calling it a "historic day", stating that parliament will pass laws to make the electoral process "clean and transparent".

"Shehbaz said that the government wanted to introduce a black law. Absolutely not, the government wants to wash away the blackness of the past."

The minister added that the government did not want to bulldoze legislation, and said that they had consulted opposition members so that their reservations could be incorporated into the bills. "You didn't pay attention."

Qureshi also rejected the impression that the government had previously cancelled the session because it did not have the numbers. "If we didn't have the numbers, then how are we presenting these bills today? There is solidarity in government ranks and our allies are standing with us."

He said that the government followed legislative procedures, adding that the session was adjourned to remove the questions some of their allies had.

"You call EVMs 'evil and vicious machines' and that is your right. But EVMs are not evil and vicious machines, they are being introduced to bury evil and vicious designs." He said that the government wanted to prioritise a credible and transparent electoral process.

The minister said that overseas Pakistanis were the nation's asset and the government wanted to involve them in policy and decision-making.

Following Qureshi's address, there was a heated exchange between NA Speaker Qaiser and a parliamentarian. Qaiser warned the member of suspension and told him to "stay within your limits".

"Is this the [right] way to talk?" the NA Speaker remarked before inviting PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to deliver his speech.

 

 

 

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Affidavit of Ex-GB top judge 3rd judicial testimony of Nawaz's innocence': Maryam

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday called the explosive affidavit by former chief judge of Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Mohammad Shamim "the third major testimony from within the judiciary" that she claimed proved her and her father Nawaz Sharif's innocence.

She was speaking outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) which conducted a hearing on Maryam's appeal seeking annulment of her conviction in the Avenfield apartments reference.

The Avenfield proceedings were thrust into the limelight on Monday after The News ran a report carrying allegations by Justice Shamim that former chief justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had influenced judicial proceedings to prolong Nawaz and Maryam's detention following their conviction in the reference.

The IHC had taken notice of the report the same day and during Tuesday's hearing, issued show-cause notices to The News editor Aamir Ghouri and journalist Ansar Abbasi, judge Shamim, and editor-in-chief of Jang Group Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman.
"We knew that the oppressors' days were numbered but we didn't expect the truth would come to light so soon," said Maryam while talking to the media on Wednesday.

She named former IHC judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui and the late accountability judge Arshad Malik as the other two "witnesses" who spoke the truth [about Nawaz's innocence].

"Instead of his statement being taken seriously, he [Siddiqui] was expelled from service. His case was then referred to SJC and he is waiting for justice," she said, alleging the case of Arshad Malik was "deliberately ignored".

"The man who had announced the conviction [in the Al Azizia reference] gave a statement expressing the truth about Nawaz Sharif in his life."

Referring to the IHC's proceedings on The News report, she said that the first notice should have been sent to former CJP Nisar.

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EVMs 'evil and vicious machine: Shehbaz Sharif

Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif has called electronic voting machines (EVMs) "evil and vicious machines".Addressing the session, Opposition Leader of National Assembly said that the government and its allies wanted to bulldoze important bills and termed it "illegal" and said that it spoiled the traditions of parliament.

PML-N President said that initially the session was postponed and the government said it wanted consult with the opposition on the issue but it was a ploy to buy time so that the government could secure the votes it needed. You had no intention of doing consultations on the issue, he added.

He said that there are always allegations of rigging during the elections but this is the first time in history that there are allegations of rigging before the elections. The "selected government" wanted to introduce EVMs because it can no longer ask the people for votes, he added.

PML-N President asked Asad Qaiser to defer the joint session so “comprehensive consultation” could take place on the matter of electoral reforms.

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Will reject next elections from today if EVM bill is bulldozed: Bilawal

Addressing the session, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari criticised the government's "one-sided" electoral reforms which have never before been seen in the country's history.

He said that during the government of former premier Nawaz Sharif, the PML-N had a two-third majority. "If that government had unilaterally decided and used the majority to force reforms, then the PTI and the PPP would not have been able to do anything.

"If they had decided to introduce a Constitutional amendment, then we would have to accept their decision. But they achieved a consensus," he said.

He said that if the government had followed in the footsteps of its predecessor, then the opposition would have taken part in the legislation process. "If we carried out reforms together then the next election would not be controversial and it would have been Khan Sahab's success."

However, he said that the opposition would not accept the results of the next election if the government continued in the manner it was proceeding in.

He said that the PML-N and the PPP supported giving voting rights to overseas Pakistanis. "Despite this, the government wants to carry out one-sided legislation."

Bilawal noted that overseas Pakistanis had representation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and called for introducing a similar system.

"How can we accept your suggestion where Pakistanis sitting in Paris, California and Britain decide for the people of Karachi and the tribal areas? They should have their own electoral college."

He said that the government's efforts, that were based on bad intentions, had been underway for some time and said that it had given an NRO to Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.

"If you have to give relief to anyone then it should be the poor people of Pakistan who are facing a multitude of problems [...] how can you expect that we will permit you to use this House to give an NRO to that Indian spy?"

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif 

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday termed electronic voting machines (EVMs) "evil and vicious machines" and accused the government of not being sincere in creating a consensus on electoral reforms.

Addressing the joint session of parliament, Shehbaz said that the government and its allies wanted to bulldoze important bills. He termed it "illegal" and said that it was equivalent to spoiling the traditions of parliament.

Shehbaz, who had earlier today written a letter to National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser airing his grievances about the haste in passing the bills without a consensus, said that initially the joint session was delayed after the government said it would consult with the opposition on the issue.

"You sent a letter to me and the whole joint opposition," he said, adding that in response he submitted a comprehensive answer with "great suggestions". "But speaker, you cancelled your contact and we received no answer from you."

Commenting on the proposal for consultations, he called it a "ploy to buy time" so that the government could secure the votes it needed. "You had no intention of doing consultations on the issue."

He said that there are always allegations of rigging during the elections. "This is the first time in history that there are allegations of rigging before the elections."

He claimed that the "selected government" wanted to introduce EVMs because it can no longer ask the people for votes.

Talking about the results transmission system (RTS), the opposition leader said that the government came into power in 2018 using the 'road transport system'. "Now the road transport system is being abandoned for the evil [and] vicious machine."

Shehbaz asked the speaker to defer the joint session so “comprehensive consultation” could take place on the matter of electoral reforms.

Addressing Qaiser, Shehbaz said that the people will not forgive him if he allowed the bills to be bulldozed in today's session and urged him to recognise his responsibility as speaker of the House. He also decried the "illegal and unconstitutional" way the bills were presented.

He said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), which is responsible for carrying out fair and transparent elections, had also expressed its reservations about EVMs. "They want to pass these laws despite their reservations."

He said that the party that had once talked about democracy, transparency and change, now wanted to pass "black laws".

"If you allow this black law to be passed, then Pakistan will be severely damaged for which responsibility will be on you and them," he said while addressing Qaiser.

Shehbaz also stated that the several countries had rejected the "evil and vicious machines".

"If the government used the energy that it is spending on this issue to tackle inflation, then we might have seen a difference. But they are not concerned. They are only concerned with remaining in power without securing the people's vote."

'EVMs will be used to bury evil, vicious designs'

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi began his speech by calling it a "historic day", stating that parliament will pass laws to make the electoral process "clean and transparent".

"Shehbaz said that the government wanted to introduce a black law. Absolutely not, the government wants to wash away the blackness of the past."

The minister added that the government did not want to bulldoze legislation, and said that they had consulted opposition members so that their reservations could be incorporated into the bills. "You didn't pay attention."

Qureshi also rejected the impression that the government had previously cancelled the session because it did not have the numbers. "If we didn't have the numbers, then how are we presenting these bills today? There is solidarity in government ranks and our allies are standing with us."

He said that the government followed legislative procedures, adding that the session was adjourned to remove the questions some of their allies had.

"You call EVMs 'evil and vicious machines' and that is your right. But EVMs are not evil and vicious machines, they are being introduced to bury evil and vicious designs." He said that the government wanted to prioritise a credible and transparent electoral process.

The minister said that overseas Pakistanis were the nation's asset and the government wanted to involve them in policy and decision-making.

Following Qureshi's address, there was a heated exchange between NA Speaker Qaiser and a parliamentarian. Qaiser warned the member of suspension and told him to "stay within your limits".

"Is this the [right] way to talk?" the NA Speaker remarked before inviting PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to deliver his speech.

 

 

 

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Affidavit of Ex-GB top judge 3rd judicial testimony of Nawaz's innocence': Maryam

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday called the explosive affidavit by former chief judge of Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Mohammad Shamim "the third major testimony from within the judiciary" that she claimed proved her and her father Nawaz Sharif's innocence.

She was speaking outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC) which conducted a hearing on Maryam's appeal seeking annulment of her conviction in the Avenfield apartments reference.

The Avenfield proceedings were thrust into the limelight on Monday after The News ran a report carrying allegations by Justice Shamim that former chief justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had influenced judicial proceedings to prolong Nawaz and Maryam's detention following their conviction in the reference.

The IHC had taken notice of the report the same day and during Tuesday's hearing, issued show-cause notices to The News editor Aamir Ghouri and journalist Ansar Abbasi, judge Shamim, and editor-in-chief of Jang Group Mir Shakeel-ur-Rehman.
"We knew that the oppressors' days were numbered but we didn't expect the truth would come to light so soon," said Maryam while talking to the media on Wednesday.

She named former IHC judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui and the late accountability judge Arshad Malik as the other two "witnesses" who spoke the truth [about Nawaz's innocence].

"Instead of his statement being taken seriously, he [Siddiqui] was expelled from service. His case was then referred to SJC and he is waiting for justice," she said, alleging the case of Arshad Malik was "deliberately ignored".

"The man who had announced the conviction [in the Al Azizia reference] gave a statement expressing the truth about Nawaz Sharif in his life."

Referring to the IHC's proceedings on The News report, she said that the first notice should have been sent to former CJP Nisar.

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