Why Did PTI Govt Choose October 16 For Joint Session?

WEB DESK: The timing of the Joint Session of the Parliament commencing today is being deemed as important by the political experts as the major opposition parties will be out on roads while the government will have a clear run in-house.

The Gujranwala rally of the coalition of opposition parties constituting the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is going to be held today which clashes with the commencement date of the 27th Joint Session of the Parliament.

The government had although faced some sort of symbolic resistance while passing the FATF Bill however this time, the path will be clear for it in both houses, at least on the first day.

Federal Law Minister Babar Awan will table the bill to amend the Elections Act 2017.

Apart from this, the call to attention notices tabled by Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leaders including Ex-Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Former National Assembly (NA) Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and others on public-interest issues pertaining to low gas pressure in the upcoming winter season are also part of the agenda. However, all of these leaders may not cross-check the government’s response owing to absence.

The start of the parliamentary session at the time when the opposition is on the roads can be deemed as a ploy by the government to ease things for itself. It can pass important bills and table important motions and dominate both houses with opposition benches being mostly empty.

It is also notable that the opposition parties are adamant to their workers and elected representatives to participate in the Gujranwala rally to show a clear sign of their strength to the incumbent government.

But, what they fail to realize is that the protest coinciding with the joint parliamentary session would give a clear run to the government.