ISLAMABAD - The federal cabinet is scheduled for an important meeting here today (Tuesday) with Prime Minister Gilani in the chair to take up important issues for deliberation including the 20th Constitutional (Amendment) Bill 2011, the government sources said on Monday.
According to the informed sources, Prime Minister Gilani would take the cabinet colleagues on board over the situation arising out of his indictment in the contempt of court case, besides other issues on the agenda including the 20th constitutional (amendment) bill, 2012. “There is greater likelihood the Cabinet gives its nod to the draft bill in order to get it through from the National Assembly same day,” the sources said. The 20th Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2012 which basically is to provide legal cover to 28 suspended MPs, has been deferred by the PPP-led ruling alliance for almost two weeks no in order to get it through with broader parliamentary consensus.
The ruling PPP had to cut a deal with the opposition parties in the National Assembly after hectic negotiations with main opposition party the PML-N which on behalf of other opposition parties including the JUI (F) and PPP (Sherpao) got their proposals incorporated into the draft amendment bill. The new draft of 20th amendment bill apart from legal cover to the suspended MPs, envisages a roadmap for the free elections.
, fair and transparent future elections in the country including appointment a consensus Chief Election Commissioner as ell as a consensus caretaker setup to hold future general elections.
Moreover the government-opposition deal also included implementation of 18th constitutional amendment that led to devolution of several federal government institutions to the provinces.
The sources further said that the Cabinet would also discuss Indo-Pak trade with a briefing by the federal minister for commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim about the latest development in this connection.