ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s parliament on Wednesday approved amendments to Election Act 2017, granting more powers to the interim government to make key decisions on the economy and engage with global institutions.
The new move came after PML-N successfully persuaded its coalition partners in the Centre to pass a bill granting more powers to the caretaker government, local media reported.
A meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms was held with Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in the chair, and the participants of the meeting discussed Article 230 — which relates to the functions of a caretaker setup.
Powers of Caretaker Govt in Pakistan
Under the proposed bill, the caretaker setup was given “unbridled powers”, which the coalition partners, as well as the opposition (PTI), opposed, and the legislation was postponed in the joint session a day earlier.
After the discussion today, the ruling party agreed to make minor changes in the proposed bill that would permit the interim setup to only engage with multilateral institutions and bilateral donors.
Under the new changes, the interim government is given the powers under clause 2A of Section 230, the TV further said, saying that the caretaker government will not have powers to enter into new deals and agreements.
The television reported that the caretaker government “can use its powers on current programmes”.
