CMs’ approval to dissolve assemblies a must: Naek

ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Farooq H. Naek has said that consultation with all the four Chief Ministers is needed for holding National and Provincial Assemblies elections on the same day.On the issue of creation of new provinces in Punjab, he said that two-thirds majority in the Parliament would be required to get the resolution passed. Talking to media persons here at Parliament House on Tuesday, Federal Law Minister elaborated that the mandated term of four Assemblies will complete on different dates.The National Assembly would complete its five years term on March 16th, so to hold elections to both National and Provincial Assemblies on same day would require approval of all the four Chief Ministers to dissolve their respective Assemblies on same day with the National Assembly. To a question, he said that though Governor's Rule was imposed in Balochistan but the Provincial Assembly in the province is still existing and it would definitely require formal dissolution either on completion of its mandated term or on some other date mutually agreed by the stakeholders.To a question about the government's agreement with Dr. Tahirul Qadri, Farooq H. Naek said that the agreement was binding on the ruling coalition and it has nothing to do with the Opposition.  More consultation with Minhajul Quran leader would be done on 27th of this month when both sides would meet as scheduled in main offices of Minhajul Quran, he added.To another question, he said that for creation of new provinces in Punjab approval of two-thirds majority in the House would be required.Meanwhile, the Commission for creation of new provinces in Punjab met here under the chairmanship of Senator Farhatullah Babar and initiated review of the input gathered from various stakeholders on creation of a new province comprising Southern Punjab districts.Sources in the Commission informed TheNation that the members of the Commission have started formulating the recommendations for creation of new province in the Punjab, which would be tabled before both Houses of the Parliament in shape of a bill. Sources further informed that the recommendations would also suggest the mechanism for distribution of assets and other matters including water share for the proposed province.Talking to media persons after the Commission's meeting Senator Farhatullah Babar said that they were expeditiously completing the task assigned to them but quickly stated that no deadline for the job was given to them. He, however, said that the Commission would try its level best to present its report to the Parliament during the tenure of the incumbent government. Taking notice of the statements coming from some politicians about the creation of new province in Punjab, he said that it was the sole prerogative of the Commission to make some announcement about the new province and its related matters and the statements coming from other politicians are of no value.He further said that when they would complete the task assigned to the Commission he would himself make the things public. To a question, he said that the government was looking on the administrative aspect of creating new provinces and there was no political consideration.

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