After the Senate approved the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill 2024 with a substantial majority last Sunday, the National Assembly also ratified this contentious legislation. Achieving the necessary majority, the government garnered 225 votes, barely surpassing the required 224, amid a partial opposition walkout.
Read: Senate Passes 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill
NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq initiated the voting and post-discussions among party leaders. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the bill during a session from late Sunday to early Monday.
The bill’s development involved extensive discussions by a special parliamentary committee established last month. This committee, including all party representatives, refined the bill’s proposals.
Following a brief adjournment, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari took the podium. He lauded Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s critical role in the bill’s passage and described his efforts as historic. Bilawal expressed gratitude to multiple parties for their collaborative spirit.
However, PTI’s Opposition Leader, Omar Ayub Khan, criticized the amendments for not reflecting the populace’s true sentiments and cited undue pressures, including the alleged mistreatment of PTI’s Imran Khan.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif defended the amendments, emphasizing the need for political consistency to uphold parliamentary dignity. He reminded that these amendments build on the Charter of Democracy, aimed at ensuring democratic governance and limiting military and judicial overreach.
Moreover, the JUI-F chief acknowledged the collective efforts in advancing the bill, focusing on maintaining judicial independence through these amendments. He praised the Constitution’s enduring role in governance, highlighting the complex discussions that led to the finalization of 22 of the initially proposed 65 clauses.
Addressing PTI’s concerns, including Imran Khan’s incarceration, Rehman expressed regret over the circumstances, emphasizing unity across political lines to overcome ongoing challenges.
MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar acknowledged Pakistan’s political and judicial complexities, prioritizing national interests over party vulnerabilities.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan strongly opposed the amendments, asserting they compromised judicial independence. This marked a regressive day for legal and judicial integrity in Pakistan.
