ISLAMABAD, Dec 23: Talks between the government and opposition on the proposed 18th constitutional amendment, aimed at abolishing the system of balloting for determining senators’ term, failed after the combined opposition’s refusal to cooperate with the government on the matter.

Leader of the House Waseem Sajjad is reported to have contacted opposition senators, including Mian Raza Rabbani and Professor Khurshid Ahmed, to seek support on the amendment.

But senators belonging to the MMA, PML-N, PPP-P and other opposition groups refused to go along with the government and cited the latter’s breach of primeses made made in connection with the 17th amendment. — Online