Action on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Saifullah Abro’s resignation has been halted ahead of the crucial approval of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The Senate Chairman has not yet signed the resignation submitted by the dissident senator.
Since the resignation remains unsigned, no reference has been initiated under Article 63A of the Constitution. This development comes as the National Assembly prepares for its important constitutional amendment vote.
The Senate passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill on Monday with substantial majority support. Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani announced that 64 members voted in favour of the legislation, with no opposition votes recorded.
During the proceedings, members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf staged vigorous protests against the amendment. Opposition senators tore copies of the bill and gathered around the chairman’s dais while chanting anti-government slogans. Despite the significant disruption, the voting process continued uninterrupted. The Senate granted clause-by-clause approval to the constitutional amendment amid the ongoing protests.
Cross-Party Support and Political Reactions
Senator Saifullah Abro notably abstained from the PTI protest and instead supported the amendment. Jamaat-e-Ulema Islam-Fazl senators Ahmed Khan and Naseema Ehsan also voted in favour of the legislation.
PTI Senator Hamid Khan claimed that establishment pressure influenced some lawmakers to support the government’s position. He stated that PTI and JUI senators had originally planned to boycott the session. The National Assembly will vote on the 27th Constitutional Amendment today. Federal Law Minister Azam Tarar confirmed that additional amendments will be presented during the session.
Read: Pakistan Senate Votes on 27th Constitutional Amendment
The government has prepared separate lists for government and opposition proposals. Notably, eleven opposition amendments have been included on the session agenda according to government sources. Law Minister Azam Tarar met with Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to discuss the constitutional amendment. The meeting included prominent PPP leaders Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman, the Attorney General, and Murtaza Wahab.
The PPP convened a parliamentary party meeting at Parliament House to coordinate their position. These consultations underscore the significance of the amendment in current political dynamics. The National Assembly currently comprises 326 sitting members, with ten vacant seats. The ruling coalition requires 224 votes the constitutional “golden figure” to pass the amendment successfully
