Pak govt. calls joint session of Parliament on Jan 30

Islamabad, Jan 20 (ANI): The Pakistan government has decided to summon a joint session of Parliament on January 30, two days ahead of the next hearing on the issue of contempt of court proceedings against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The decision was reportedly taken at a meeting of the government allies at the President House on Thursday night.

Addressing the meeting, Gilani said that a joint session of Parliament would soon be summoned to discuss new terms of engagements in the war against terror, but he avoided announcing the date.

The Nation quoted sources as saying, that the report furnished by Parliamentary Committee on National Security regarding the NATO attack on Salala checkpost last November will be presented in the joint session.

Besides, the approval for passage of the 20th Amendment will be sought to give protection to a flawed election process of a number of members of parliament, who had been declared successful after contesting by-elections, in the absence of constitutionally mandated Election Commission of Pakistan in line of 18th Amendment, it said.

The ongoing sessions of both houses of parliament would continue for a further three days.

The meeting, held to express gratitude to the coalition parties for their help in difficult times, was also attended by Speaker of the National Assembly, Fehmida Mirza.

Zardari reportedly praised Gilani for appearing before the Supreme Court in a dignified and respectful manner. (ANI)