ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Saturday that there was a “legal vacuum” after passing of the 18th Amendment, following which he constituted a three-member committee headed by Federal Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid to recommend new legislation to overcome it.

The premier passed the directive during a meeting with Secretary Law and Justice Barrister Zafarullah who called on him at the Prime Minister House.

Barrister Zafarullah briefed Prime Minister Sharif on the working of his ministry.

Sharif said that courts' decisions should be respected and directed the Secretary of Law and Justice to complete all the matters related to these decisions.

“We respect judiciary and believe in active and independent judicial system. Our party has remained part of the judicial movement,” he added.

Moreover, the premier also said that transparency, accountability and rule of law should be the objectives followed in all matters. He subsequently constituted a three-member committee which would recommend new legislation in order to overcome the legal vacuum created after passing of 18th Amendment. The premier noted that the previous government had shown criminal negligence in this regard.

The committee, headed by Hamid, would also include Special Assistant to the PM Khawaja Zaheer and Secretary Law Barrister Zafarullah.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah strongly reacted to the premier’s statement. The opposition leader said that it was wishful thinking on the premier’s part that he would be able to bring in such a law.

Political parties, however, do not seem to see eye to eye on the matter. Awami National Party (ANP) leader Zahid Khan said the Prime Minister wanted to establish a totalitarian form of regime, adding that the party would oppose any such amendment.

Conversely, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) supported the premier’s stance. The JUI-F spokesman said there was a flaw in the 18th Amendment that should be removed.