To pass a constitutional amendment, ruling coalition requires ‘golden figure’ of 224 votes
The National Assembly convened on Monday morning under the chairpersonship of Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq to vote on the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The session began with prayers for the late Senator Irfan Siddiqui, after which lawmakers are expected to debate and decide on the proposed changes that have drawn sharp criticism from legal and political circles alike.
The bill aims to establish a federal constitutional court (FCC) and grant the president permanent immunity, as well as lifetime status for the field marshal rank, amid criticism that the amendment will erode the judiciary’s independence.
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.
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 and the Balochistan Awami Party. The government also enjoys the backing of four independent members.
However, the National Party, part of the ruling coalition, has decided not to vote in favour of the constitutional amendment.
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.
On the other hand, the opposition benches have only 89 members in total. These include 75 independents, 10 members from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-Pakistan), and one member each from the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), and the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP).
Read: 27th amend rushed through Senate amid opp walkout
Senate passes amendment
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the motion for approval of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which was adopted by a majority vote. During the session chaired by Gillani, the law minister presented each clause of the bill separately for approval.
Members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged a strong protest during the proceedings. They tore up copies of the bill and gathered in front of the chairman’s dais, chanting slogans against the government. Despite the commotion, voting continued, and clause-by-clause approval was granted.
PTI Senator Saifullah Abro did not join the protest and instead voted in favour of the amendment. JUI-F Senator Ahmed Khan and Senator Naseema Ehsan also supported the bill.
A joint meeting of the Senate and the National Assembly’s law and justice standing committees had approved the amendment bill with minor tweaks, amid an opposition boycott yesterday.
Chairperson of the Committee, Farooq Hamid Naek, briefed the House on the deliberations regarding the 27th Constitutional Amendment, saying the joint committee session included all members and special invitees who proposed certain amendments.
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