26th Constitution Amendment Bill tabled in National Assembly
26th Constitution Amendment Bill tabled in National Assembly.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The 26th Constitution Amendment Bill that seeks to increase the number of national and provincial seats for erstwhile tribal areas has on Friday been tabled in the National Assembly.
The bill was presented by – Mohsin Dawar – an independent member from tribal areas, and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif started the debate.
Khawaja Asif welcomed the step taken on private members’ day and said the whole House agrees with the bill. “The tribal areas had been suffering from anarchy from four decades, and our beautiful cities became safe havens for terrorists.”
“Pakistan had no conflict with Russia. Pakistan’s subjugation at the hands of a superpower was a sad chapter in country’s history. We compromise our independence for other benefits. America has been defeated in Afghanistan, and is now looking to escape.
“Special attention is needed to be given to the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) until the restoration of peace. Drone attacks were conducted at marriages and funerals in these areas. This House is creating history today.”
Defence Minister Pervez Khattak said we have owned the area that used to be referred to as ‘no-go zone.’ He said this step should have been taken 70 years ago, and was also delayed in Yousaf Raza Gillani’s tenure. Inhumane treatment was done under the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), he added.
“All resources are present in these areas, and their people have served as our security personnel as well. I am very pleased that all parties have agreed over the merger of erstwhile FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and we shall ensure education reforms and other developments in the region.”
