LAHORE: National Assembly (NA) rejected an amendment bill presented by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Qamar Naveed on Tuesday.
The bill sought removal of Section 203 from Election Act 2017 which had enabled the ousted premier Nawaz Sharif to regain his party chairmanship.
98 parliamentarians voted in favour of the bill whereas 163 ruled against the motion. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) member Zaffarullah Khan Jamali surprisingly supported the opposition by casting his vote in favour of the bill.
Opposing the move, Law Minister Zahid Hamid said that no party had objected on the inclusion of Section 203 in the Election Reforms Act.
Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah responded Hamid saying “You have every right to criticize bill and we respect it. But this [amendment bill] is a joint effort of the opposition.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said someone who is disqualified by the court should not be eligible to hold any party office.
Soon after the NA rejected the bill, Maryam Nawaz, tweeted to give her response on this development.
We bow our heads in humility & gratitude. Allah Almighty be praised.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) November 21, 2017
