27th Constitution Amended amid opposition protest
ISLAMABAD: The Senate passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill with a two-thirds majority, following its approval in the National Assembly, amid strong protests and slogan-chanting by opposition lawmakers.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the revised bill, which secured 64 votes in favour and four against in the 96-member upper house. The amendments had been re-submitted after incorporating changes earlier approved by the lower house.
During the session chaired by Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, PTI Senator Ali Zafar objected to votes cast by two opposition defectors — PTI’s Saifullah Abro and JUI-F’s Ahmad Khan — arguing that they had already resigned and were therefore disqualified under Article 63-A of the Constitution. He warned that if their votes were counted, the party would challenge the process.
However, Law Minister Tarar rejected the interpretation, clarifying that under the Constitution, a member is not automatically disqualified for voting against party lines unless the formal procedure — including reference submission, hearing, and confirmation by the Election Commission — is completed.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar defended the defectors, describing their actions as a “voice of conscience” rather than defection. He noted that no formal resignations or references against them had been received and that they remained legitimate members of the House.
Earlier, National Assembly passed the amended bill with 234 votes in favour and four against, introducing eight new provisions to clarify the judicial hierarchy and structure of the newly created Federal Constitutional Court (FCC).
Key revisions include:
The Chief of Army Staff designated as Chief of Defence Forces.
Establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court with equal provincial representation.
The incumbent Chief Justice to retain the title of Chief Justice of Pakistan until completion of tenure.
Future designation of the senior-most among the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and FCC as Chief Justice of Pakistan.
The FCC empowered to take suo motu notice on petitions.
Revisions to Article 6 (high treason) and Article 10(4) (preventive detention).
Removal of several oath-related clauses proposed in the Senate’s earlier draft.
The government easily met the two-thirds threshold in both houses, with support from coalition partners including PML-N, PPP, MQM-P, PML-Q, IPP, and regional allies, while JUI-F lawmakers voted against the bill.
