Govt passes Election Amendments Bill allowing EVMs, voting rights for overseas Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: 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.

Bills to be presented in today’s session:

According to the agenda, the Electoral Amendment Bill 2021 will be presented in the meeting. The Second Electoral Amendment Bill will also be presented in the meeting. The bills regarding electoral reforms will be submitted in the joint session by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan.

As per agenda, the bill related to Kulbhushan Jadhav and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be moved by Federal Minister for Law Farogh Naseem.

The Islamabad Capital Territory Charities Registration, Regulation and Facilitation Bill will be introduced during the joint sitting of Parliament, while State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Banking Services Corporation Amendment Bill, 2021and National College of Arts Institute Bill, 2021 will also be presented in the joint session.

The two bills of Muslim Family Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021 and Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trail) Bill, 2021 will presented during the session. Hyderabad Institute for Technical and Management Sciences Bill, 2021 will also be moved in the session.

Security beefed up

Security has been beefed up for ahead of the Parliament’s joint sitting. The fresh security measures, entry of guests of ministers and members of the Parliament has been banned besides also running a shuttle service between Parliament House and Lodges.

Moreover, it has also been decided to bar entry of security guards of the members of the Parliament inside the premises of the House.

The government is also prepared to pass 22 bills from the session convened today as the opposition is also preparing to give tough time to the treasury benches.

No personal agenda behind electoral reforms: PM Imran

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan clarified that he has no personal agenda behind legislation related to electoral reforms.

Prime Minister Imran Khan reached Parliament House to attend the joint session. In his informal media talk, the premier said that country’s future is linked to fair democracy practices.

We have the required numbers: Shahbaz Sharif

Opposition Leader in National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Mian Shehbaz Sharif said that opposition has the required numbers in the parliament.