RAWALPINDI: The Constitution (Second Amendment) Bill, which generated a lot of heat during the week-long proceedings in the National Assembly, was finally adopted today [June 11]. The final voting on the overall Bill was 106 against 26. In all, 41 members took part in the stormy debate which was spread over nine days; to be more precise, 35 hours.

The Opposition, which had been putting up resistance till yesterday afternoon, today gave up the battle altogether and finally reconciled to the passage of the Bill.

The highlight of today’s debate during the third reading of the Bill were the speeches of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Yusuf Khattak, Pak People’s Group leader Maulvi Tamizuddin, Industries Minister Abdullah Al-Mahmood and Law Minister Khursheed Ahmed who winded up the debate.

Besides extraordinary long sittings the House witnessed unruly scenes almost throughout the debate. The Opposition looked disturbed over the crossing of floor by nine members of their party, some of whom were considered to be very trusted.

The Treasury Benches have to thank their Chief Whip Lal Mian without whose round-the-clock vigilance over the supporters of the Bill the fate of this controversial piece of legislation might have been doomed.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2014