Abbasi settles opposition reservations on delimitation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Friday removed the concerns of the Opposition on delimitation of electoral constituencies paving the way for passing of the constitutional amendment from the Senate on coming Tuesday (December 19).

The decision was taken in the meeting of parliamentary leaders of Senate with Abbasi, who convened the meeting here Friday to sort out the matter.

It was decided that a bi-partisan committee comprising Senators Mushahidullah Khan, Hasil Bizenjo, Taj Haider, Usman Kakar and Mushahid Hussain Sayed will look into delimitation and Fata reforms issues.

Speaking to the media, Opposition Leader in the Senate Aitzaz Ahsan said it has been decided that in line with the opposition’s objections on census that the government will randomly select five percent of census blocks for a re-audit within 30 days. “Our mechanism of a re-audit has been accepted by the government and the Prime Minister himself has assured us that he will monitor and take responsibility for it,” he added.

Talking about Fata reforms issue, Ahsan said a four-member committee to monitor the issue has been formed and the prime minister has said that he will personally look into the matter.

Regarding reservations of opposition parties, Minister for Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan said in the parliamentary form of system, reservations of parties are routine matters.These are resolved through dialogue, he said. “The prime minister intervened in this matter and settled it. The bill will be presented in the Senate on December 19 and will be passed,” he said.

He said if the bill is passed on December 19, elections would be held on time. The Prime Minister also took the parliamentary leaders into confidence on matters related to the recently held OIC summit on Jerusalem.