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Summary
Parliamentarians on Wednesday lauded the role of Constitutional Committee members in the preparation of the 18th Amendment Bill and expressed confidence that it would be passed soon from both the Houses for early resolution of the masses problems. They termed it an historic day in the constitutional history as with the approval of the bill, 1973 Constitution would be restored in its real shape. Taking part in the debate on the Bill further to amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Eighteenth Amendment 2010) in the National Assembly, the members were optimist that the Bill would provide autonomy to provinces. PML leader Riaz Hussain Pirzada said the amendments were a result of collective wisdom and it was good to have consensus on all the amendments. He called for making Hazara Division a province in wake of the strong demand and complete strike in the division for the last three days. PML-N leader Abdul Qadir Baloch said Balochistan must be given full rights over its sea-shore and natural resources. He was of the view that the Balochistan issue was not presented before the constitutional committee in its true spirit. He said foundation for the 18th Amendment was laid on the day Charter of Democracy (CoD) was signed by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. Qadir said the constitutional committee proposed 95 amendments in total 270 Articles which meant that 1973 Constitution had several weaknesses. Syed Nasir Ali Shah congratulated the whole parliament and the nation for restoration of the 1973 constitution in its real shape. Power sharing had been the biggest issue since 1947 but President Zardari has fulfilled his promise by handing over powers to the Prime Minister and the Parliament. He said it is a good omen that the longstanding demand of provincial autonomy by Balochistan has been met. Sahibzada Fazal Karim while appreciating the 18th Amendment, said power sharing is the most difficult thing in the world as no person wants to sacrifice his powers for others. He said the 18th amendment was the outcome of Charter of Democracy (CoD) signed by twelve parties of the country. Maulvi Asmatullah said the constitution is a document which should represent the expectations of the people. He said the restoration of 1973 Constitution, which was made with consensus, was the main demand of the people and it should be implemented in true spirit for strengthening of democracy and democratic institutions. ANP leader Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour extended gratitude to the Prime Minister, Chairman of the Constitutional Committee Raza Rabbani and all political parties for supporting provincial autonomy and accepting the name of Khyber-Pakhtunkhaw for NWFP. Sardar Bahadar Ahmed Khan said before giving provincial autonomy, reservations of any segment of the society should be addressed and equal distribution of resources should also be ensured. He suggested that the government should concentrate on the problems of southern Punjab while announcing provincial autonomy. He said the Prime Minister should immediately summon the meeting of Council of Common Interest so that the issues relating to regional autonomy could be addressed. Sardar Muhammad Israr Tarin said a referendum should be held before changing the name of any province. MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi while taking part in the debate said that the Concurrent List could have been abolished in 1983 but no step was taken and with the untiring efforts of the constitutional committee it would be abolished now. He was of the view that their party had written a note of reiteration on quota system as it was against the merit system. Rizvi expressed the resolve that if they get time, they would work to remove all the clauses of eighth amendment from the constitution. He urged the government and all the political parties to work for the solution of problems as it shold not be end of their efforts after passing the eighteenth amendments. Nadeem Afzal said, time has come to bring democratic thinking in our lives and the democratic norms inside parties are a start in this regard. He said most of the issues including the construction of Kalabagh Dam were politicized during past and the time would prove their importance as the country cannot afford such type of disasters. Zaffar Baig Bhittani was of the view that issues of FATA have been ignored which is playing a frontline role in the war against terror. Khawaja Muhammad Khan Hoti said Pakhtoons got identity for the first time in the countrys history and added that with the addition of new provinces Pakistan would be strengthened. He appreciated the abolishment of Concurrent List but said that it should reach to its logical end. Marvi Memon while taking part in the debate said their party has shown reservations on renaming of NWFP province in addition to make Saraiki province. She was of the view that PML would fully support the amendment bill but they have reservations on Khyber-Pukhtoonkhwa name. Marvi demanded to give Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) provincial status and asked to create seats in National Assembly and Senate for GB.
