NA passes bills regarding Kulbhushan, voting right to overseas Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - The National Assembly (NA) has passed the bills regarding the Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav and the voting right for overseas Pakistanis on Thursday.

The NA approved “International Court of Justice (ICIJ) (Review and Re-consideration) Ordinance, 2020 aimed at giving foreigners the right to appeal military court convictions in the high courts.

The bill was presented by Law Minister Farogh Naseem. It now be tabled in Senate and if it gets passed it will become law. The proposed law will allow foreign nationals to file an appeal themselves or through their country’s mission against their military court convictions.

The new law will allow Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav to appeal his conviction in the civilian court. In its verdict in 2019, the International Court of Justice had directed Pakistan to review and reconsider his conviction.

On the other hand, the Election Act Amendment Bill, 2020 containing dozens of amended clauses for bringing electoral reforms including the voting right for overseas Pakistanis. The Lower House has passed the amended Election Act, 2017 that was presented by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan.

The Election Act Amendment Bill, 2020 contains dozens of amended clauses aiming to bring electoral reforms regarding the voting right for overseas Pakistanis, the open ballot for Senate polls, use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and other sections to ensure transparent and fair elections.