ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said on Tuesday that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had not yet contacted any political party over amending Article 62, 63 of the Constitution. Addressing the media after attending a high-level party meeting, Sadiq said an important bill on election reforms would be passed on Thursday, adding that democracy needed to be strengthened in a way to ensure the sanctity of the vote is not violated. The speaker rebutted claims that the prime minister had disrespected judiciary or any institution, saying Nawaz Sharif had only talked about claiming his rights. Sadiq said that he still considered Nawaz Sharif his prime minister and that the entire country was waiting to welcome the former premier. “Every part of the country is ready to welcome Nawaz Sharif and that wherever people will call unto their leader in order to affirm their support, Nawaz Sharif will respond to their call and visit them,” he said. He said that the purpose of the party meeting was to devise the method to conduct an approach regarding constitutional amendments and future strategy in order to strengthen parliament and democracy. He referred to Nawaz as the PM during his entire interaction with the media. Upon questioning, he said he always referred to Nawaz in such a manner. Published in Daily Times, August 16th 2017.