ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly today [Nov 13] began consideration of the Constitution (Fourth Amendment) Bill and was in the midst of its first reading when it adjourned for the day. The Assembly held two sittings today... . Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto ... was present in the House during the evening sitting… .

Earlier, explaining the … features of the Bill Law Minister Meraj Khalid said that all apprehensions … in connection with the … Bill were unfounded. He said that the jurisdictions of the Courts were not being curtailed nor [did it affect] civil liberties… . Malik Mohammad Akhtar, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, said that the provision of preventive detention existed in every country. He said it appeared that the opposition wanted to give a licence to the enemies of the country to work against the State. Minister of State for Minorities Affairs, Malik Mohammad Jafar referred to the proposed amendment for representation of minorities in the Assemblies and said that the Bill should be passed unanimously to show the world the Muslims of Pakistan had deep regard for … minorities.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2025