Federal Cabinet approves draft of 20th Amendment Bill

Islamabad: The Federal Cabinet on Tuesday approved the draft of the 20^th Constitutional Bill in an special meeting here.

The special meeting of the cabinet, which was called to approve the consensus draft of the Bill prepared by the teams of PPP and PML-N, okayed the draft.

At the very outset of the meeting, the cabinet reposed confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Gilani and appreciated his recent conduct as far as the contempt of court proceeding against him is concerned.

The cabinet after deliberation approved the draft bill, which is likely to be presented in National Assembly today for passage.

The Bill is primarily aimed at giving legal covers to the bye-elections held under the incomplete election commission after the 18^th constitutional amendment. However, following negotiations between opposition and government, both the sides have agreed to inserts some other sections in the legislation regarding caretaker set up for holding general elections and reforms in Election Commission such as extending the tenure of member of the commission from the current two-year to five years and appointment of Chief Election Commissioner with the consensus of Opposition.