Govt, opposition in deadlock over 20th Amendment
07 February, 2012
ISLAMABAD: The government and opposition could not achieve a breakthrough on the 20th Constitutional Amendment in their talks held late on Monday, as the opposition, particularly the PML-N, stuck to its position over an impartial caretaker set-up as well as appointment of a non-controversial election commissioner. Negotiations between the government and opposition started when Monday's National Assembly session was in progress, and concluded late night without achieving the much-needed breakthrough over the 20th Amendment, particularly after the Supreme Court's order to suspend the memberships of parliamentarians who had been elected by an incomplete Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The government side, led by Religious Affairs Minister Syed Khursheed Shah, held talks with the opposition side, led by opposition leader in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. PPP-Sherpao chief Aftab Ahmed Sherpao and JUI-F head Fazlur Rehman also participated in the talks. The opposition, especially the PML-N, reiterated its stance that it would support the proposed constitutional amendment lying in the assembly for the last one week – with an expectation that the government would complete the ECP, appointment of a non-controversial chief election commissioner and a caretaker government by taking on board the opposition set up to hold the next general elections. Although the government agreed to complete the ECP, the deadlock continued over the appointment of a new chief election commissioner as well as a caretaker set up to hold next general elections. Considering that no breakthrough had been achieved during Monday night's talks, the next round of discussions would be held today (Tuesday) to move forward on the constitutional amendment, whose pending passage from parliament has put the futures of 28 members of assemblies at stake following the apex court's verdict. Chaudhry Nisar told the media that his party does not want to grant any further extension to the serving chief election commissioner, as he is very close to President Asif Zardari. He said the entire opposition is on the same page vis-à-vis the constitutional amendment that it should be made more meaningful by incorporating all issues. He said that Aftab Sherpao fully supported the PML-N's stance whereas the JUI-F also had the same views. Syed Khursheed Shah said that there were certain issues on which consensus was required to move ahead with the passage of the amendment. Earlier, Syed Khursheed Shah, while talking to the media, claimed that the government and opposition had evolved a consensus over the 20th Amendment, while Information Minister Dr Firdaus Ashiq Awan reportedly said the same. End.
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