There is no deadlock, we have numbers in Senate, says Federal Law Minister Azam Tarar
The approved draft of the 27th constitutional amendment, approved by the joint parliamentary committee yesterday (Sunday), is to be tabled in the Senate today.
At present, 64 votes are required in the Senate to pass any 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 on the government side include Abdul Karim, Abdul Qadir, Mohsin Naqvi, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Asad Qasim, and Faisal Vawda.
The ruling coalition, however, lacks a two-thirds majority in the Senate. Holding 61 seats, it will require at least three opposition votes to secure approval.
On the opposition benches, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) remains the largest party, holding 14 seats, with one newly elected senator expected to take the oath soon. The Awami National Party (ANP) holds 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 deadlock; we have the numbers in the Senate,” Federal Law Minister Azam Tarar told the media. “Voting will begin as soon as all voters are present,” he added.
Once passed by the Senate, the bill will go to the National Assembly for a vote, with proceedings set for 4:30 pm today.
The National Assembly comprises 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 requires the “golden figure” of 224 votes.
Read: PM hosts halwa feast for Senators after finalizing 27th Amendment
At present, the ruling alliance commands the support of 237 members in the National Assembly. The PML-N is the largest party in the coalition with 125 members, followed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement with 22, the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid with 5, the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party with 4, and one member each from the Pakistan Muslim League-Zia, the Balochistan Awami Party, and the National Party. The government also enjoys the backing of four independent members.
PPP, with 74 members, is the second-largest party within the coalition. Its support has been crucial in helping the federal government secure not only a simple majority but also a two-thirds majority when required.
The Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), on Sunday denounced the 27th Amendment as an “assault on the Constitution” and “Pakistan’s 9/11”, as the opposition alliance announced the launch of a nationwide protest campaign to resist “the direct attack on the state’s foundations”.
The alliance also announced plans to form committees to build public opinion, engage trade organisations, and consult with members of the legal fraternity. “The judicial system is being dismantled. Lawyers will play a key role in this movement,” it said.
Joint Committee passes amendment
The joint parliamentary committee of the Senate and National Assembly has unanimously approved the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, clearing the way for its presentation in the Senate on Monday morning.
The federal government moved a significant constitutional reform package to the upper house as the proposed 27th Amendment Bill was formally presented in the Senate, following approval from the federal cabinet on Saturday (yesterday). The bill seeks to introduce major structural changes to Pakistan’s military command framework and judicial system.
Read more: Joint parliamentary committee approves draft of 27th Constitutional Amendment
Under the proposal, a new post titled Chief of the Defence Forces would be created, effectively replacing the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The amendment outlines a revised chain of command by altering Article 243, which deals with the control and command of the armed forces.
The bill also proposes the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court mandated to adjudicate constitutional disputes and provide authoritative interpretation of constitutional questions. For this purpose, a separate new chapter would be inserted into Part VII of the Constitution.
In addition, the amendment seeks notable changes to Article 175A, which currently governs the appointment of judges to superior courts. The proposed modifications are aimed at reshaping the process of judicial appointments in line with the new constitutional court framework.
PM withdraws immunity clause
Also read: Judiciary weighs response to 27th Amendment
In a post on X, Shehbaz said he learnt of the development upon his return from Azerbaijan and clarified that the proposal was not part of the Cabinet-approved draft. “While I acknowledge their intent in good faith, the proposal was not part of the Cabinet-approved draft. I have instructed that it be withdrawn immediately,” he stated.
Reaffirming his stance on accountability, the prime minister added that “an elected Prime Minister must remain fully accountable, both before the court of law and the people”.
Federal Law Minister said the committee members had been informed of the prime minister’s message, confirming that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had withdrawn the clause relating to immunity for the prime minister.
