Bills for constitutional amendments tabled in NA

NA session adjourned till January 5; Senate session summoned on Jan 6 to hold voting for drafts

ISLAMABAD: Two major bills seeking constitutional amendments for speedy trial of terrorists were tabled in the National Assembly on Saturday morning, Express News reported.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill and Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2015 were presented by Information Minister Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid in the presence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The session was adjourned till January 5 when lawmakers will debate over the proposed legislation while a Senate session was summoned on January 6 to hold voting for the drafts.

The bills were moved following consensus of all parliamentary parties on the creation of military courts for the trial of terrorists.

For a constitutional amendment, a two-third majority is required both in the Senate and National Assembly, while for an amendment in an act such as Army Act 1952, a simple majority is required in both of the houses of the Parliament.

Thus, a minimum of 228 votes are required out of 342.

The ruling PML-N has 189 seats in the house of 342. The PPP has 46 seats, MQM 24, JUI-F has 13, PTI has 33, including its five disgruntled members and JI and PkMAP have four seats apiece in the house. The ANP with two seats in the house.