The Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Act, 1997

Further to amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

WHEREAS it is expedient further to amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the purposes hereinafter appearing;

It is hereby enacted as follows:-

1. Short title and commencement -
   (1) This Act may be called the Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Act, 1997.
   (2) It shall come in to force at once.
2. Amendment of Article 58 of the Constitution - In the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, hereinafter referred to as the Constitution, in Article 58, in clause (2) sub-clause (b) shall be omitted.
3. Amendment of Article 101 of the Constitution - In the Constitution, in Article 101, in clause (1) for the words "after consultation with" the words "on the advice of" shall be substituted.
4. Amendment of Article 112 of the Constitution - In the Constitution, in Article 112, in clause (2) sub-clause (b) shall be omitted.
5. Amendment of Article 243 of the Constitution - In the Constitution, in Article 243, in clause (2) in sub-clause (c) the words "in his discretion" shall be omitted.
    

STATEMENT AND OBJECTS OF REASONS:

In order to strengthen parliamentary democracy, it has become necessary to restore some of the powers of the Prime Minister which were taken away by the Constitution (Eighth Amendment) Act, 1985.

The Bill seeks further to amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to achieve the aforesaid purpose.