ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly this evening [March 8] unanimously passed the motion for consideration of the Constitution Bill. Only the JUI members abstained. The second reading of the Bill will begin tomorrow morning when the House will take up its clause by clause consideration.

The general debate in which about 80 members had participated concluded at 7.45 this evening with a two and-half hour speech by Mr [Abdul Hafeez] Pirzada, replying to the Opposition’s criticism point by point and claiming that the Draft Constitution was completely in accordance with their demand for undiluted democracy and a federal parliamentary system.

Mr Pirzada said during the last 20 days of the debate the People’s Party members had heard the wildest of abuses and not even the Head of State was spared — against the rules of the game. There was no difference of opinion on the point that the country must be given a Constitution — workable, viable and in accordance with the requirements of the integrity of the State. But, he said, the arguments advanced by the Opposition parties [were] a conglomeration of contradictions. Their ideologies were different and there was nothing in common between them.—Special Representative

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2023