Govt seeks support of JUI-F for Army Act Amendment

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The government contacted the leadership of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) to seek support for the draft bill for amendment in Army Act on Thursday. According to the sources, the government has contacted JUI-F to gain its confidence over the amendment in the Army Act. It also added that a delegation of PTI lawmakers will also contact Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). The parliamentary session will be held on the matter of Army Act Amendment and JUI-F Senator Talha Mehmood will attend the session. Earlier today, the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) has decided to support the amendment to the Army Act unconditionally. The government delegation had met the PML-N leaders and sought help in the legislation for the amendment to the Army Act. The PML-N leadership decided to support the amendment after a message from the top leaders. The message was conveyed to the participants of a meeting of the party’s parliamentary committee. The party leaders, in the message, said that they do not want to make the COAS designation controversial. Talking to the media after the meeting on Thursday, Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak said that they would hopefully complete the consultation by the evening. On the other hand, the government has contacted the PPP and sought time for consultation over the COAS extension issue. The PPP agreed to hold a meeting with the government delegation, which will be held after arrival of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Islamabad. The government delegation comprising of Shibli Faraz, Pervaiz Khattak, Azam Swati and Ali Muhammad Khan will hold talks with the PPP. The government will seek the PPP support for amendment to the Army Act. The government delegation will brief the parliamentary parties on the amendment bill. After evolving consensus, the bill will be presented in the National Assembly on Friday. On the other hand, PM Imran Khan has summoned PTI's parliamentary party meeting tomorrow (Friday). According to the sources, the meeting will be held tomorrow at 10am and PM Imran Khan will preside over the meeting. The party members of the Parliament directed to assure their presence during the meeting. The sources also informed that a meeting of the PTI members of Parliament has been summoned on Friday to discuss Army Act Bill 2020. During the meeting, the government will decide strategy to table the Army Act Bill for approval from the Parliament. A briefing will be given on the draft bill for making amendment in Army Act that had been approved by the federal cabinet yesterday, whereas, the premier will apprise the government’s rhetoric in the meeting.