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'Clerical error' that affected Khatm-i-Naboowat laws to be fixed: Ayaz Sadiq
Following the controversy surrounding an 'amendment' to the Elections Act 2017 which ended up affecting a Khatm-i-Naboowat (finality of prophethood) declaration public office holders are required to make, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Wednesday accepted that a "clerical error" had been made and invited parliamentary leaders in his chamber to discuss the matter.
Parliamentarians on Tuesday had pointed out that the wordings of Form-A, which is submitted at the time of the election by candidates, had been changed so that it was turned into a declaration form instead of an affidavit, in which candidates are put under oath.
In the new Form-A, the words “I solemnly swear” have been replaced with “I believe” in a clause relating to a candidate's belief in the finality of the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad and it had not been made applicable to non-Muslim candidates.
Law Minister Zahid Hamid had denied the change when it was brought up on Tuesday, vociferously defending the Elections Act 2017 as a joint effort of all political parties.
However, Sadiq on Wednesday met with parliamentary leaders to discuss the issue.
Speaking after the meeting, Sadiq said that parliamentary leaders had decided that the original form of the affidavit will be kept intact. The assembly will make an amendment to this effect on Thursday, he said.
After the meeting, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that his party had also suggested that Clause 203 of the Elections Act 2017 should also be reverted to its original form as it is controversial and has been challenged in the courts.
Changes brought via Clause 203 of the act had paved the way for Nawaz Sharif to return as PML-N president.
Sheikh Rashid moves SC over Elections Act 2017
Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid also challenged the Elections Act 2017 in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
His petition, submitted by Barrister Farogh Naseem, argues that the Constitution has been distorted to protect one person, who has been disqualified by the SC.
The act is against Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, Rashid said, arguing that the law cannot be changed for a person
Changes to Khatm-i-Naboowat laws have been brought about to please western countries, the petition further alleges.
Comments (24) Closed
Whenever your act or attempt goes foul or backfires/flops, the easiest escape/exit is to call your action a joke and say "I was kidding".
The solemn swearing was replaced with solemn affirmation at the bottom of the page for all clauses.
hence proved PMLN always distor facts...yesterday they were denying this, today they accepted
Good move to correct the misunderstanding.
Men in the picture appears to be very upset and the lady is smiling. Maybe she got something that the men did not.
Best decision for maintain khatm-e-Nabowat law and don't make wrong decision again because of we are Muslims and all Muslim's belief by heart and complete after accepting of this law. Otherwise not Muslim.
Best decision
Best decision for still khatm-i-Naboowat law. Because of we are not completing without this law. We are Muslims.
@JIGAR - That's a wry smile - there is a difference!
We are all prone to making mistakes. Good move to correct mistake
What century are we living in? What does any religious declaration have anything to do with your RIGHT to vote in this so called democracy that we have. When are we going to grow up?
This will definitely solve the problems of energy shortages, clean water, education and improve the quality of life for the citizens.
What a great progress in trying to humuliate a so called minority in the country. People are actually reaching for the stars and see wht are our worries and concerns as a nation. Pakistan Zindabad.
What a joke. An amendment goes through senate and then NA with a clerical error that was not visible to govt even after passing while they defended it all day. How can you trust these people. And then they say Parliament is supreme, yes it is but not with members like these.
they never make mistake when loot money or launder it overseas.
half of law makers in parliament got fake degrees. simple
LOL...they have been caught...
What a waste of precious time by elected members of the parliament on an issue that is irrelevant to the governance of the country.
they never make ERROR when looting or money laundering.
may be made CLERICAL mistake as half of them got fake degrees in parliament
With govt .fumbling and its credibility at the lowest ,who will believe its a clerical error
“a "clerical error" had been made” …… that changed the election candidate’ form “so that it was turned into a declaration form instead of an affidavit, in which candidates are put under oath.” I wonder whether the definition of clerical error is changed or Law Minister has been reduced to the status of a clerk.
First of all what is a clerical error? This piece of writing already existed; so it was simply copy and paste, where there is a little chance of a mistake. And even if it was retyped, the possible error could result in "I solemnly Sweat" not a totally new word "I solemnly believe". So gentlemen, if you want to give an excuse, come up with something more genuine, don't insult the intelligence of people with ordinary prudence.
what about a declaration of same on honesty and corruption?
'Clerical error' indeed a very calculated clerical error! A huge price to be paid!
Inserting such clauses in constitution or declarations are unnecessary.This tendency will lead to adding many more clauses in future.