ISLAMABAD: After National Assembly, Senate of Pakistan also passed bill barring independent legislators from joining party after stipulated time. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Senator Talal Chaudhry presented private bill ‘Elections (Second Amendment) Act, 2024’ amid protest by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Bill is perceived by political analysts and legal experts as an attempt by government to avert July 12 verdict of Supreme Court, declaring PTI eligible for reserved seats. According to bill, lawmakers cannot change party after joining one within three days of winning election. Furthermore, reserved seats cannot be allotted to party, that did not win single seat in election. “Provided that if candidate, before seeking allotment of prescribed symbol, has not filed declaration before returning officer about his affiliation with particular political party by submitting party certificate from political party confirming that he is that party’s candidate, he shall be deemed to be considered as an independent candidate and not candidate of any political party,” bill’s text read. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that authority to legislate rests with Parliament. “Group of 17 individuals cannot be allowed to legislate,” he added.

He criticised previous PTI-led government, saying that they passed 51 bills in single day during their tenure and now they question others’ legislative efforts.  Earlier in day, National Assembly passed bill moved by PML-N’s lawmaker Bilal Azhar Kiyani who presented bill as private member. After passage from Senate, bill will be enacted soon after assent by President Asif Ali Zardari. ‘egal expert Abid Zuberi, commenting on move, said that after Supreme Court’s decision over reserved seats in favour of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Sunni Ittehad Council, government intends to amend law to override court’s decision. He said amendment in law will be for future. “If law flouts Constitution, it could be challenged in court”, he said.