‘No change has been made in Khatm-e-Nubuwwat declaration’

ISLAMABAD (INP): Federal Minister for Law Zahid Hamid claimed on Tuesday that all opposition parties were included in the consultation process before approval of Electoral Reforms Bill.

Talking to media, the law minister told that opposition remained quiet during consultation sessions and spoke only after approval of the reforms from both Senate and National Assembly.

He added that the column of Khatam-e-Nabuwat condition has not been excluded from nomination papers through these reforms, maintaining that his party cannot even think about doing so.

He said that there is no way that condition can be removed from the procedure and the PML-N government excluded no such paragraph. “Bill for election reforms has been passed after 40 years,” he argued while stating that all political parties whether in power or opposition participated in the cause.

He reasoned that the rival parties are only raising the issue for personal gains while the government backed open voting in both parliament houses. He said the bill is aimed at strengthening the democratic system and economic stability in the country.

He said under the bill the Election Commission has been provided more powers to ensure conducting of free, fair and transparent elections. The Minister said the amendment in the existing bill was suggested by Pakistan People’s Party in 2014.

Zahid Hamid said the opposition is leveling baseless allegations on the government for their personal interests. Adding her viewpoint, Minister of State for IT Anusha Rehman opined it is not their fault if someone isn’t able to understand English language.