F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly unanimously approved Election Bill 2017 and restoring the original draft of the declaration about the finality of prophethood which is compulsory to be signed before holding public office for any individual.
Parliamentarians of different political parties raised objection over the form-A which puts candidates under oath and it is submitted at time of the election by candidates.
Now the National Assembly passed the bill and in the revised form-A, the words “I believe” had replaced the originally drafted “I solemnly swear” and the clause relating to Khatm-e-Naboowat has not been made applicable to non-Muslim candidates.
However, Law Minister Zahid Hamid Tuesday had denied allegations of changing the clause in the Elections Bill 2017 regarding belief in the finality of the prophethood.
After the meeting with the parliamentarians, Speaker National Assembly, Ayaz Sadiq said that it was clerical mistake which affected the draft A and had stated the original form of the affidavit shall be protected and adding that the necessary amendment will be made on Thursday.
