President signs 21st Constitutional Amendment into law

21st Amendment officially becomes part of the Constitution


Web Desk January 07, 2015
President Mamnoon Hussain signed the summary on advice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday signed the 21st Constitutional Amendment Bill 2015 into law, making it a part of the Constitution, Express News reported.

The bill had been passed in the National Assembly and Senate on Tuesday, and was passed unopposed in both the Upper House and Lower House.

The bill was presented in the National Assembly to seek changes in the Constitution and Military Act to speed up trial of terrorists after Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan gunmen killed over a hundred schoolchildren in an attack on December 16, 2014.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed with 247 votes - 14 more than the required two-third majority in the NA, and 78 votes out of 104 were passed in the Senate.

The amendment – aimed to set up special courts to try militants – was not opposed by any member present inside the house. Lawmakers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and Sheikh Rasheed abstained from voting.

COMMENTS (13)

Nasir Jadran | 9 years ago | Reply

I'm surprised why Sheikh Rashid abstained from voting? All of the hypocrite politicians will face consequences regardless. I'm wary of 21st Amendment as MQM, JUI-F and other Mullah and hypocrite parties wanted changes so the madarsas and political parties' terrorists wings could be shielded. I hope this amendment will bring meaningful results for Pakistan and peace will flourish in the country.

Hafeez | 9 years ago | Reply Congatulations to whole nation, except JUI-F and JI who boycot voting. Since the previous civilian governments failed to counter terrorism, it became necessary for Nawaz Government to deligate powers to Pakistan Army to deal with terrorists cases through Military Courts. The fact remain that judiciary also failed to deliver justice to aggreived parties for decades, now Military Courts will provide justice to an affected common man in Pakistan.
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