Governor’s rule: Joint session of Parliament summoned on Feb 6

Under the Constitution, once the governor’s rule is imposed, it has to be ratified by a joint session of Parliament.

ISLAMABAD:

The acting president, on the advice of the prime minister, has summoned a joint session of the Parliament to meet on February 6 at 5pm at Parliament House, to get the imposition of governor’s rule in the restive province of Balochistan validated.

This was stated by presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar, after the ministry of law, justice and parliamentary affairs moved a summary to the presidency, asking to summon a joint session of Parliament on February 6 to get the imposition of governor’s rule in Balochistan validated.

Under Article 234 of the Constitution, once the governor’s rule is imposed, it has to be ratified by a joint session of Parliament within two months.

However, the declaration of the emergency in the province and removal of the provincial government led by Nawab Aslam Raisani was a bitter pill to swallow for some political parties of Balochistan that have representation in the federal legislature as well. These parties have strongly opposed the governor’s rule.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2013.