To pass a constitutional amendment, the ruling coalition needs a “golden number” of 224 votes
The National Assembly of Pakistan is scheduled to meet today at 11 am to vote on the 27th constitutional amendment. After two days of heated debate, the amendment was adopted in the Senate on Monday by 64 votes.
The bill aims to create a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) and grant the president permanent immunity, as well as lifetime status for the rank of marshal, amid criticism that the amendment would erode the independence of the judiciary.
The National Assembly has 336 members, but with 10 seats currently vacant, the total number of sitting members stands at 326. To pass a constitutional amendment, the ruling coalition needs the “golden figure” of 224 votes.
Currently, the ruling alliance enjoys the support of 237 members in the National Assembly. PML-N is the largest party in the coalition with 125 members, followed by Muttahida Qaumi Movement with 22, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid with 5, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party with 4 and one member each from Pakistan Muslim League-Zia and Balochistan Awami Party. The government also benefits from the support of four independent deputies.
However, the National Party, which is part of the ruling coalition, decided not to vote in favor of the constitutional amendment.
The PPP, with 74 members, is the second largest party in the coalition. His support was crucial in helping the federal government achieve not only a simple majority, but also a two-thirds majority when necessary.
On the other hand, the opposition benches only have 89 members in total. These include 75 independents, 10 members of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-Pakistan) and one member each of Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) and Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP).
Read: The 27th Amendment was rushed through the Senate amid opposition walkout
The Senate adopts an amendment
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the motion to approve the 27th constitutional amendment, which was passed by a majority. During the session chaired by Gillani, the Justice Minister presented each article of the bill separately for approval.
Members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged a strong protest during the proceedings. They tore up copies of the bill and gathered in front of the President’s dais, chanting slogans against the government. Despite the commotion, voting continued and article-by-article approval was granted.
PTI senator Saifullah Abro did not join the protest and instead voted in favor of the amendment. JUI-F Senator Ahmed Khan and Senator Naseema Ehsan also supported the bill.
A joint meeting of the Senate and National Assembly standing committees on law and justice approved the amendment bill with minor changes, amid an opposition boycott yesterday.
Committee Chairman Farooq Hamid Naek briefed the House on the deliberations regarding the 27th constitutional amendment, saying the joint session of the committee included all members and special guests who proposed certain amendments.
