ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League MNA Riaz Fatyana on Tuesday moved a private member bill in the National Assembly to amend Political Parties Order 2002 and seek financial facilitation for parties that are not financially well-off.

As Law Minister, Farooq H Naek did not oppose the bill, Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi referred the bill to the Standing Committee concerned. However, the law minister said that this bill needed a policy decision. It also needed deliberation as it concerns stakeholders like the Election Commission, political parties and the Law Commission.

Explaining about the bill, Fatyana informed the House that crux of the bill is that the federal government will provide finances to political parties as per their strength in the parliament.

He said financially weaker political parties cannot fully contest the elections, therefore the bill will ensure that they also get finances and field their candidates in the general elections.

Fatyana said, “In our country's history half of the period the dictators ruled the country for the reason that political parties were weaker administratively and financially. Providing them finances by the federation will strengthen political parties as well as democracy.”

He said with the funding provided to political parties, they would be able to set up secretariats, re-organise their ranks and create think-tanks and enhance the capacity of their office bearers and workers.

In support of his bill, Fatyana also mentioned Ecuador, Costa Rica and Germany where the federation provides such funding for political parties.