PPP wants to positively engage with democratic legislative process: Bilawal

KARACHI (92 News) – Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari underscored the need to follow democratic process while making amendments to the Army Act. In his series of tweet, the PPP chairman said that the government committee arrived at Zardari’s house to discuss upcoming legislation. He said that they wanted to positively engage with the democratic legislative process. “Some parties seem to want to side step the legislative process,” he added.

Government committee arrived at Zardari house to discuss upcoming legislation. The Peoples Party wants to positively engage with the democratic legislative process. Some parties seem to want to side step the legislative process. 1/2

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 2, 2020

In another tweet, Bilawal said that the more important the legislation the more important it is for us to follow the democratic process. “PPP will take this up with other political parties as well,” he added.

The more important the legislation the more important it is for us to follow the democratic process. PPP will take this up with other political parties as well. 2/2

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 2, 2020

According to the sources, a delegation of PTI led by Defence Minister Pervez Khattak has met with Bilawal to seek support for the draft bill for amendments in Army Act in order to give a three-year extension to Chief of the Army Staff. During the meeting with delegation, the PPP chairman underscored the need to follow democratic process while making amendments to the Army Amendment Act. Earlier, 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. The government also 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.