Senate To Consider Two Bills Seeking Increase In Seats Of Balochistan Assembly

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Jul, 2020 ) :The Senate has included two bills in its agenda for the sitting on July 13 (Monday) seeking amendments in Articles 73 and 106 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

The first sitting of 300th session of Senate would be held on July 13 and it would be the first private member's day of the session. It is to mention that two-third majority is required in both houses of Parliament to pass the motion for introduction of the bill or passage of the bill seeking constitutional amendment.

A total of seventeen lawmakers has sponsored the bill seeking amendment in Article 73 of the Constitution of regarding procedure with respect to Money Bill and its first sub-article states that Notwithstanding anything contained in Article 70, a Money Bill shall originate in the National Assembly: Provided that simultaneously when a Money Bill, including the Finance Bill containing the Annual Budget Statement, is presented in the National Assembly, a copy thereof shall be transmitted to the Senate which may, within fourteen days, make recommendations thereon to the National Assembly. The sub-article (1A) states that the National Assembly shall consider the recommendations of the Senate and after the Bill has been passed by the Assembly with or without incorporating the recommendations of the Senate, it shall be presented to the President for assent. The lawmakers sponsoring this bill have sought amendment in this article.

Another bill has sought amendment in Article 106 of the Constitution elaborating constitution of provincial assemblies and composition of seats in these legislatures. This bill sponsored by 20 lawmakers from Balochistan demands to increase the number of seats in Provincial Assembly of Balochistan from 65 to 80. The Standing Committee on Law and Justice has presented report on this bill during last session which recommended to increase the number of seats in Balochistan Assembly.

It is to mention that this private members' bill was referred to the Committee on September 2, 2019 after introduction in the House. The committee considered the bill in multiple meetings and also held public hearings in Karachi and Quetta. According to the proposed amendment, the general seats in Balochistan Assembly may be increased to 64 from 51, Women seats to 13 from 11 while seats for Non-Muslims to remain 3 and no change to made in it.

A bill seeking raise in number of benches of high court is also part of agenda. This bill seeking amendment in article 198 of the constitution is sponsored by PML-N lawmaker Javed Abbassi and has been pending for the last several sessions.

The 300th session of Senate will start on July 13 (Monday) as summoned by the President of Pakistan in exercise of power conferred by clause (1) of Article 54 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

A total of 46 items would be part of the agenda for July 13, 2002 which included reports of Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs about the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 and the COVID-19 (Prevention of Smuggling) Bill, 2020. The House may consider and adopt the reports on these two bills following separate motions under Rule 130 (8) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of business in Senate, 2012.

The agenda further includes 15 motions for introduction of as many bills which may be presented in the House after passage of the motions. Five private members' resolutions, a commenced motion under Rule 218 and five other motions under Rule 218 may be also considered by the House appearing in agenda.