All eyes were on the Senate session today, as the much-anticipated 27th Constitutional Amendment was set to be tabled and spark a major debate. However, much to the disappointment, the bill was not presented to the House. Many senior members and key senators were absent and instead discussed the amendment at their respective party meetings outside of the Senate session.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had already finalized the initial draft of the amendment, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif consulting coalition partners before its presentation.
Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain pointed out that the parties are still consulting on a few points regarding the project. He clarified that the amendment would not be tabled today and another meeting of the federal cabinet would be called for further discussion.
Read: Prime Minister Allies for 27th Amendment
Meanwhile, JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman convened a meeting of his parliamentary group at his residence to discuss the current political situation and the draft 27th constitutional amendment. The meeting took place in the presence of the party’s senators and deputies, with consultations on recent interactions with government and opposition representatives.
With the amendment delayed, discussions in the Senate turned to Sindh’s water projects and NESPAK’s performance. The session turned tense as PTI Senator Saifullah Abro and Senator Nasir Mahmood Butt engaged in a heated exchange, prompting the session chairman, Senator Manzoor Ahmed, to intervene.
Senator Abro expressed serious concerns over the management of NESPAK and the manner in which the government handled the Soan River Dam project, alleging that the former Director General was “forcibly removed” and saying there had been attempts to “destroy the institution”. He suggested that the matter be referred to the relevant committee for detailed consideration.
Abro’s remarks come amid a mega project launched earlier to improve the water quality of the Soan River, aiming to provide 24-hour drinking water to over 250,000 residents of Rawat and Chauntra. The feasibility study envisioned the installation of tube wells with treatment plants or the treatment of river water in centralized facilities, supported by a five million gallon water reservoir and new pipelines.
Senator Azam Swati highlighted the need to expand water reservoirs to avoid flooding, noting that the feasibility study of the Soan River Dam would be completed in 2026 and would cover a period of ten years. Members also raised questions regarding the dam construction timeline.
The exchange further intensified when Abro raised additional questions on the Sindh river water supply projects. In response, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said: “No one can memorize all the facts and figures. We must base our discussions on verified information.” He stressed that accountability is the system’s “greatest strength” and urged lawmakers to avoid repetitive arguments.
Deputy Prime Minister and Senator Ishaq Dar also arrived in the room during the proceedings.
Energy crisis and IPP under surveillance
Senator Abdul Qadir raised concerns over Pakistan’s economic and energy crisis, pointing out that 70% of the population lives below the poverty line. He criticized independent power producers (IPPs), saying they are exploiting the public and holding successive governments “hostage”, collecting Rs 2.2 trillion as capacity charges.
He urged the prime minister to intervene, pointing out that many low-income households are turning to solar power, which IPPs discourage.
Describing electricity bills as a form of “terrorism” against the poor, he said: “If someone installs solar power as a self-help initiative, why are their efforts discouraged? Ten to fifteen million people are victims of IPP exploitation. Why is a forensic audit not being conducted on these companies?”
Other key discussions and developments
Senator Khalil Tahir Sindhu marked a historic milestone by congratulating Zohraan Mamdani, who became New York’s first elected Muslim mayor with one million votes. He expressed hope that in cities like Lahore, Karachi or Faisalabad, a Christian candidate could also be elected mayor.
Separately, the Senate approved a 100-day extension of the Frontier Corps (FC) reorganization order, giving the government more time to implement structural and administrative reforms. The FC is a paramilitary force in Pakistan tasked with maintaining law and order, particularly in border and tribal areas, and assisting the army in counter-terrorism and internal security operations.
Learn more: Punjab Child Protection Bureau reunites Afghan children with their families
Moreover, lawyer Aqeel Malik, responding to a question from Senator Shahadat Awan, said that the government’s first priority is the protection of children and future generations. He noted that the Child Protection Institute, established in 2021, maintains a detailed breakdown of data and that the government fulfills all transparency requirements. He welcomed the committee members’ suggestions and agreed that more effective measures were needed for child protection.
Senator Azam Swati also highlighted the importance of the Opposition Leader in the functioning of the House, urging the Law Minister to clarify the way forward. He recalled how opposition leaders, including Shehbaz Sharif as opposition leader in the National Assembly, had been jailed in previous terms despite their official duties.
PTI members created a commotion when Senator Emal Wali Khan was allowed to speak. During his speech, he remarked, “Do they have a problem with me or with you? It’s not soil, it’s a pile of garbage, and you handed me that pile of garbage.”
Amidst all this, the Senate session has been adjourned till 11 am tomorrow.
