After attaining two-thirds majority in the National Assembly with the addition of more reserved seats, the ruling coalition is eyeing major changes including repealing the National Accountability Bureau and amending the constitution. The governing alliance was already in a comfortable position with 208 seats in the National Assembly when Shehbaz Sharif was elected prime minister. However, after the Election Commission of Pakistan doled out the 23 reserved seats it had not notified, the government’s number is well beyond the 225 required to reach two-thirds majority. With the numbers comfortably in the books, the ruling alliance is considering putting an end to the National Accountability Bureau. Although Nawaz Sharif has been granted relief in corruption cases, multiple members of PPP and PMLN are facing corruption cases in NAB.

The Bureau is also pursuing cases against Imran Khan. However, the ruling coalition is also setting its eyes on constitutional amendments, including restoring articles 62 and 63 to their original form by repealing amendments made by the Zia regime. The two articles deal with qualification and disqualification for members of the parliament and have been used to bar many politicians from being part of the legislature. Having two-thirds majority in the house would mean that the government would not need to reach out to the opposition for support in any major legislation. Therefore, even if the opposition puts up protest inside or outside the parliament, the process of legislation is likely to go forward without any hurdles.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)