NA adopts 21st Constitutional Amendment unopposed

[Jango]

Surprising no thread about it yet.

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Tuesday adopted the 21st Constitutional Amendment unopposed after 247 Members of National Assembly voted in favour of the law aimed to set up constitutionally protected military courts to try civilian terrorism suspects, announced NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

He added that not a single vote was cast against the amendment bill.

Members of the National Assembly belonging to the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F (JUI-F) abstained from voting.

The bill will now be presented in the Senate for passage tomorrow and is expected to be approved into law on either Wednesday or Thursday.

The constitutional amendment bill was required to be passed by two-thirds of the total participants in both the 342-seat National Assembly and the 104-seat Senate; however, for amendment in the Army Act, a simple majority was required.

Read more : Draft of amendment bill

The two bills – the Constitution (Twenty-first Amendment) Bill and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) — were expected to have been passed a day earlier but voting was deferred after the government fell short of the required two-thirds majority – 228 members – for the passage of the amendments.

NA adopts 21st Constitutional Amendment unopposed - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

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Diesel still making some troubles. He wants the clause about madressas and religious orgs to be omitted. Defeats the whole purpose of the amendment really.

Saleem Safi smoking some heavy sh!t as well these days. Comparing apples and oranges.

Now let's get this passed by the Senate tomorrow and then our invisible President signs it and we go after every terrorist we see.

The only thing the government has quickly and sensibly done in this tenure!

 

[Jango]

Note: I've also added a poll, just to get the general opinion.

 

[Winchester]

Good that the government didn't budge infront of the demands of diesel
With the support of PPP they have enough seats in the senate also to get it through

 

[Strigon]

On the fence: Though wishful thinking, it should be able to target these slimy nasty politicians and mullahs who are doing everything possible to save their own skin. Approval of civil authorities should not be required before military courts can act on cases.

On a side note, the amazing incompetence of our politicians that keep reading wrong articles until told to read the right one. Funny and obviously sad at the same time.

 

[Jango]

Sab ko mubarak ho!

On a side note, the amazing incompetence of our politicians that keep reading wrong articles until load to read the right one. Funny and obviously sad at the same time.

Haha Pervez Rashid is a dunce. Khurram Dastagir was telling him what to read lol.

But what the hey, it got passed!

 

[Devil Soul]

People are terming it as a failure of the Civilian Gov, in my views this is not the failure of the Civilian Gov, as majority of the people sitting in parliament voted in a favor, apart from those who are hell bound on destroying Pakistan. A Right Decision at the Right Time. Current Judicial System will not help Pakistan get rid of all these threats, as they keep on releasing the accused...

 

[kaonalpha]

It has begun

 

[Jango]

Anybody watching diesel on TV?

What the fck is he talking about.

Na sar na pair.

From Secularism and liberalism to MMA, to Hasina Wajid and Bangladesh, to khoofia quwwat.

has he sniffed diesel?

 

[Strigon]

Diesel = Mulana Fazlul Rehman?

Anybody watching diesel on TV?

 

[syedali73]

The real drama will unfold not in the Senate but in the Supreme Court where this amendment will be challenged soon after it gets passed from the Senate. The government, the Supreme Court, and the so-called military establishment will lock their horns in a power struggle game and the bastard politicians will enjoy the show.

 

[Jango]

Diesel = Mulana Fazlul Rehman?

Most definitely! :p

The real drama will unfold not in the Senate but in the Supreme Court where this amendment will be challenged.

Not to forget the new stance these religious parties are taking.

MMA, ASWJ, JUI and JI all will be up for this.

BTW, doesn't the parliament hold superiority over SC?

 

[Strigon]

Most definitely! :p

Gah I hate this guy, I'd hand craft a Nishan-e-Haider for anyone that shoots this guy in the face.

 

[syedali73]

Not to forget the new stance these religious parties are taking.

MMA, ASWJ, JUI and JI all will be up for this.

BTW, doesn't the parliament hold superiority over SC?

Unfortunately or fortunately, any law can be challenged in the Supreme court and SC can ask the law makers to modify the law(s). The amendment can and will be challenged on either of the following two grounds:

1. Fundamental rights of the people are getting affected.
2. The very structure of the constitution is being affected.

We have heard Aitizaz and Hamid Khan in the APC. Moreover, former CJ, Choudhry has also categorically rejected the proposal. These views give ample idea of what is going to happen to this amendment in the Supreme Court. The only viable solution was/is to declare an emergency and suspend the so-called fundamental rights.

 

[Jango]

Unfortunately or fortunately, any law can be challenged in the Supreme court and SC can ask the law makers to modify the law(s). The amendment can and will be challenged on either of the following two grounds:

1. Fundamental rights of the people are getting affected.
2. The very structure of the constitution is being affected.

The only viable solution was/is to declare an emergency and suspend the so-called fundamental rights.

I don't think the Supreme Court will be willing to take a completely opposite stance to the public opinion. There have been some rumors about Army and especially JAG branch contacting judiciary regarding this issue.

If they do entertain such a case and put down this amendment, I would lose all hope for this country. Then only martial law or emergency will be the remaining way out.

Judge, maulvi and media...the three biggest hurdles in eliminating terrorism in Pakistan IMO.

 

[Judge]

I understand that Pakistani members are happy about this development, but I have a question - being a Devil's Advocate here.

Should you also not consider that this would be an infringement on the rights of civilians? There is a reason that Courts are there.

There is always a balance that has to be maintained and allowing civilians to be trialed in Military courts would upset that and set a very bad precedent for the future. One that can be misused in multiple scenarios and to horrible consequences.

P.S: Not voted.

@Oscar @Syed.Ali.Haider @Fulcrum15