ISLAMABAD – The Senate today passed The Constitution Amendment Bill, 2018with two thirds majority paving the way for merger of FATA with KhyberPakhtunkhwa , reported by Radio Pakistanlink>.
It was moved by Law Minister Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk.
Seventy-one members voted in favour of the amendment while five against it.
The constitution amendment was passed by the National Assembly yesterdaywith two thirds majority.
According to the amendment, the number of seats in KhyberPakhtunkhwa Assembly will increase to 145 from 124. FATA will be grantedsixteen general seats, four seats for women and one seat for non-Muslims inthe provincial assembly. Elections to these seats shall be held within oneyear after the general elections 2018.
The amendment reduces the number of seats in the National Assembly fromthree hundred forty-two to three hundred and thirty-six. The members of theNational Assembly from FATA to be elected in 2018 election shall continuetill dissolution of the Lower House.
According to the constitution amendment, the number of seats of Senate hasbeen reduced to ninety-six from one hundred and four. The existing membersof the Senate from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas shall continuetill expiry of their respective terms of office.
The constitution amendment also envisages amendments in article 246 andrepeals article 247 which place the tribal areas under the command andcontrol of President.