Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted senators from coalition partners and thanked them, as well as President Asif Ali Zardari, for their cooperation on the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment and “fully supporting this national thought”.

According to state-run APP, the premier hosted a dinner for the senators — a development that came after the standing committees on law and justice of both houses of Parliament approved the proposed legislation earlier today.

The bill for the amendment, which has been criticised particularly over its clauses pertaining to changes in the judiciary and Article 243 (command of the armed forces) of the Constitution, was tabled in the Senate yesterday amid the opposition’s outcry. Prior to that, the PM had held several meetings with the representatives of the allied parties with the proposed legislation on the agenda.

According to the APP report, addressing his guests today, the PM said he was thankful to the heads of all allied parties and President Zardari.

“All allied parties fully backed this national thought,” the report quoted him as saying. He further stated: “All of us made unified efforts to strengthen the federation, in the broader interests of the country, to increase harmony among the provinces and to improve governance.”

The premier said that all the “milestones” achieved by his government were a result of the coordination with the allied parties.

“Pakistan’s diplomatic successes are a reflection of harmony and unity among the allied parties. It is because of our unified efforts that Pakistan reached a great position,” he said.

He maintained that the country’s economic situation had been improving and Pakistan was now “moving in the right direction” due to political and economic stability.

He stressed the need to work together for the country’s progress.