ISLAMABAD, May 21: The PML-N told the government-opposition committee on the Legal Framework Order on Wednesday that the LFO was not and could not be accepted as part of the Constitution.

In its recommendations submitted to the government-opposition committee, the PML-N said: “If the government wants to make it (LFO) a part of the 1973 Constitution then it should be brought before parliament”.

The PML-N opposed extension in the retirement age granted to the members of superior judiciary. It described the extension as “the worst and the most blatant kind of judicial horse-trading” in the country’s history. “It seeks to permanently taint the name of the judiciary in Pakistan.”

“The PML-N opposes the extension/limitation in age imposed on new judges of the high courts as being totally unnecessary,” according to recommendations prepared by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

Chaudhry Nisar said the PML-N did not accept the concept of a president in uniform. “It is violative of all democratic and constitutional norms. Only a president duly elected under the procedure laid down in the 1973 Constitution will be acceptable,” he said, adding, “the PML-N opposes the proposed addition to the discretionary powers to the president.”

The PML-N said it opposed the formation of the National Security Council as a constitutional or supra-parliamentary body. “My party is open to reactivating and energizing the defence committee of the cabinet in order to oversee the issues of defence and national security more proactively,” the PML-N leader suggested.

On 58(2)b, Chaudhry Nisar said his party did not accept the proposed amendment to 58(2)b. “We feel it should be deleted. However, the option of reducing the tenure of the assembly can be explored so that there is absolutely no need to reduce the life of assembly through unnatural and often undemocratic means,” he proposed.