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ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Monday claimed that the allied parties of the PTI government expressed full confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
The minister stated this while talking to reporters in Islamabad after a meeting of the members of the government’s allied parties with Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The minister said the entire leadership of the allied parties, including GDA, MQM-Pakistan, PML-Q and Balochistan Awami Party was present in the meeting, and are standing with the government. He said the reservations of the allies were listened and addressed.
Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said it was unanimously decided that a joint sitting of the Parliament would be summoned for Wednesday. He said bills pertaining to electoral reforms will be tabled in the session.
‘Joint session of Parliament’
Advisor to Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affair Dr Babar Awan on Monday said that joint session of parliament would be held on November 17, 2021 (Wednesday) at 12:00pm.
Speaking in the National Assembly, he said the government is ready to consider suggestions of the opposition and its member may sit with them before the joint session. “If no suggestion is made by the opposition on legislative proposals, it should vote in favour of these bills, he added.
Govt summons Parliament joint session after ‘addressing allies reservations’
Dr Babar Awan quoted articles of the Constitution and said that sub-judice matters should not considered in the parliament. He cited article 68 of the Constitution which says “No discussion shall take place in [Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] with respect to the conduct of any Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties”. He also asked the opposition to join the House Business Advisory Committee to set the agenda for discussion in the House.
‘All set to table electoral reforms bill’
Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said all the coalition government partners were unanimous to pass the electoral reforms bill that would be tabled in a joint sitting of the Parliament, scheduled to be held on Wednesday.
“All the coalition partners including Pakistan Muslim League-Q, Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan have agreed on the bills [related EVMs and I-voting] to be tabled in the joint session of the Parliament,” he said while talking to media persons after a meeting here at the Prime Minister House.
The minister said it was the dream of Prime Minister Imran Khan of introducing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the elections as it would ensure transparency and resolve the issue of mistrust in the electoral system. Sheikh Rashid said Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz, and Advisor to Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan always briefed Prime Minister Imran Khan in every cabinet meeting on EVMs. He said the PM Imran Khan had answered all questions of the coalition partners in Monday’s meeting.
‘Use of EVMs to ensure transparency’
Also, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said that transparency would be ensured with the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections, terming it necessary to guarantee voters’ trust in the electoral system.
Talking to the media persons, he said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had reaffirmed the commitment of his government to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the country.
Sheikh Rashid fully endorsed the idea of using electronic voting machines (EVMs) as Prime Minister truly said that this device would resolve the issue of mistrust in the electoral system.
He said that the prime minister always spoke in favour of transparent elections while he expressed his displeasure over the electoral system since 1970.
He made it clear that the prime minister was enjoying the support of members’ parliament of his own party and allied political parties. He said that all members of the government and allied parties had one agenda that was changing the life of the common man.
Sheikh Rashid said the government was taking sincere steps to improve the professional capabilities of Islamabad Police. He said that police were a frontline force and added that it was necessary to keep the morale of the force high.
‘Flawless electoral process’
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib Monday said that the coalition partners of ruling PTI supported the government’s endeavour of making the electoral process flawless, transparent and impeachable.
Talking to media, he said government and coalition partners were on same page for introducing electoral reforms bill as the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) would end the rigging in next elections. Prime Minister Imran Khan has strived for the supremacy of the law and constitution and always took the coalition partners along during the entire stint in the government. He said Tuesday’s meeting of federal cabinet was canceled.
‘Govt ready to discuss electoral reforms with opposition’
Leader of the House in Senate Dr Shehzad Waseem on Monday said the opposition should sit with the government to discuss electoral reforms in a positive way.
Speaking here in Senate on a point of order, Dr Shehzad Waseem said when the leaders of PML-N failed to achieve their targets in the past, they started disrespecting the institutions.
He said, the convicted person, leader of PML-N was a declared absconder and he went abroad after submitting an affidavit in the court.
He said, “If, we want to strengthen the democracy, judicial and electoral reforms should be ensured. All political parties should come forward to correct the mistakes of the past. Reforms are need of the hour which should be made in the best interest of the country”, he added.
Later, speaking in the house about journalists’ protection bill he said, the government wanted to ensure protection of the journalists.
The leaders of the opposition were not sincere on any issue, he said adding, the opposition is raising the issue for point scoring as the government brought the Journalists’ protection bill in National Assembly but they opposed it. “We are ready to talk on the bill as we want to ensure protection of the journalists,” he added.