ISLAMABAD, (DNA) – The National Assembly rejected on Tuesday a bill to make an amendment to the Election Act 2017 so that a disqualified person could be prevented from becoming the head of a political party.

A total of 163 members in the House ruled against the motion while 98 members have voted in its favour, Speaker Ayaz Sadiq announced.

The bill was tabled days after deposed premier Nawaz Sharif re-election as head of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The PML-N was represented in the House today by 167 members. The government’s allies included the JUI-F, the PML-F and the PkMAP with 13, five and three representatives, respectively.

Members of the opposition parties included the 45 of the PPP, 33 of the PTI, 24 of the MQM, four of the JI and two each of the PML-Q and the ANP.

Opposition submits requisition to summon NA session

Last month, Senate passed clause 203 of the Act, restraining any disqualified person from leading a political party.

The Senate ruled that no person, not qualified to become a member of parliament, can hold any party office.

Sharif stepped down as the head of the ruling PML-N on July 28 following his disqualification on the same day in a landmark verdict by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case.