Amending the constitution: The numbers game

ISLAMABAD:

In the National Assembly, which has 342 members, the support of 228 members would be needed to pass a constitutional amendment and then a vote of 67 members from 108-member Senate.

While the ruling coalition has the numbers on paper for a simple majority, support isn’t being taken for granted.

ANP

“Awami National Party (ANP) doesn’t support dual nationality bill for parliamentarians and highest public office holders,” said MNA Bushra Gohar when contacted by The Express Tribune. On the contempt of court bill Gohar said: “We have not been consulted on it as far as I know.”  ANP holds twelve seats each in Senate and National Assembly.

PML-Q

With 51 seats on paper in the National Assembly, the Pakistan Muslim Legaue-Quaid (PML-Q), like ANP, did was divided on the two bills – but the other way around.

Senator Kamil Ali Aga who is also secretary information said: “I think we (coalition partners) have consensus on dual nationality bill.” However, he said his party will come up with its stance on contempt of court bill after going through the draft. Of the 51 MNAs of PML-Q, it is unclear how many will actually vote along party lines.

MQM

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is the actual mover of dual nationality bill. “We favour the bill which allows parliamentarians to hold dual nationality,” Senator Tahir Hussain Mashhadi said. “Overseas Pakistanis are the face of Pakistan… and deserve to represent in parliament.”

PML-N

“Though we have yet to take final decision yet I personally believe we will oppose this (dual national) bill,” said PML-Nawaz (PML-N) Information Secretary Mushahidullah Khan. With 92 members National Assembly and 14 Senators, the PML-N is the largest opposition party in both houses.  On contempt of court bill, Khan said they would not let the government clip the powers of the apex court. “PML-N will not allow the government to undermine judiciary power thorough this bill.”

JUI-F

Jamiat UIema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), which has eight seats in the lower house of the Parliament and seven in Senate, has yet to make up its mind over the issue of dual nationality.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2012.