There is no impasse, we have figures in the Senate, said Federal Minister of Justice Azam Tarar
The approved draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, approved yesterday (Sunday) by the Joint Parliamentary Committee, is to be tabled in the Senate today.
Currently, 64 votes are needed in the Senate to pass a constitutional amendment. The PPP holds 26 seats, making it the most dominant party on the government benches, while the PML-N holds 20. Among the coalition partners, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) has four members and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) holds three. Independent senators from the government side include Abdul Karim, Abdul Qadir, Mohsin Naqvi, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Asad Qasim and Faisal Vawda.
The ruling coalition, however, does not have a two-thirds majority in the Senate. Holding 61 seats, it will need at least three opposition votes to gain approval.
On the opposition benches, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) remains the largest party, with 14 seats, and a newly elected senator is expected to be sworn in soon. The Awami National Party (ANP) has three seats, while the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) has seven. The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) and the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) have one senator each.
“There is no impasse; we have the figures in the Senate,” Federal Justice Minister Azam Tarar told the media. “Voting will begin as soon as all voters are present,” he added.
Once adopted by the Senate, the bill will be submitted to a vote by the National Assembly, whose debates are scheduled for today at 4:30 p.m.
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.
Read: PM hosts halwa party for senators after finalizing 27th amendment
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, Balochistan Awami Party and National Party. The government also benefits from the support of four independent deputies.
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.
The Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) on Sunday denounced the 27th Amendment as an “attack on the Constitution” and “9/11 Pakistan”, as the opposition alliance announced the launch of a nationwide protest campaign to resist the “direct attack on the foundations of the state”.
The alliance also announced plans to form committees to shape public opinion, engage professional organizations and consult members of the legal community. “The judicial system is being dismantled. Lawyers will play a key role in this movement,” the text says.
The joint committee adopts an amendment
The joint parliamentary committee of the Senate and the National Assembly unanimously approved the draft of the 27th constitutional amendment, paving the way for its presentation to the Senate on Monday morning.
The Federal Government has introduced a major constitutional reform bill in the Upper House as the 27th Amendment Bill was formally introduced in the Senate, following approval by the Federal Cabinet on Saturday (yesterday). The bill aims to introduce major structural changes in Pakistan’s military command framework and judicial system.
Learn more: Joint parliamentary committee approves draft 27th constitutional amendment
Under this proposal, a new position titled Chief of Defense Forces would be created, effectively replacing the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The amendment outlines a revised chain of command by modifying Article 243, which deals with the control and command of the armed forces.
The bill also proposes the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court to adjudicate constitutional disputes and provide an authoritative interpretation of constitutional issues. For this purpose, a new, separate chapter would be inserted in Part VII of the Constitution.
Additionally, the amendment seeks to make notable changes to Section 175A, which currently governs the appointment of superior court judges. The proposed changes aim to reshape the process of appointing judges in line with the new framework of the Constitutional Court.
Prime Minister withdraws immunity clause
Also read: Judiciary mulls response to 27th Amendment
In an article on “While I recognize their good faith intention, the proposal was not part of the draft approved by Cabinet. I have requested that it be withdrawn immediately,” he said.
Reaffirming his stance on accountability, the Prime Minister added that “an elected Prime Minister must remain fully accountable, both to the courts and to the people.”
The federal law minister said the committee members were informed of the prime minister’s message, confirming that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had withdrawn the clause relating to the prime minister’s immunity.
