By Rana Malhi
A Senate session, chaired by Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, was held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. but the bill was not immediately presented. The session was held in connection with the passing of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill by the Senate, on Monday, with a two-thirds majority, while the 26th Amendment Bill was tabled in the National Assembly earlier in the day. The developments have marked a significant legislative victory for the coalition government, which managed to secure the support of two opposition senators amid protests and walkouts in the upper house.
Tuesday proceedings began after Federal Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar introduced the 27th Amendment Bill for discussion. The session quickly descended into chaos as lawmakers from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged a protest, tore copies of the agenda, chanted slogans in front of the chairman’s dais, and eventually walked out of the chamber. Despite the noisy demonstration, the government continued with the legislative process and proceeded to vote on the bill clause by clause.
Initially, the government coalition had 62 votes—two short of the constitutionally required two-thirds majority.
However, the situation shifted dramatically when PTI Senator Saifullah Abro and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam–F (JUI-F) Senator Ahmed Khan crossed party lines to support the bill. Their votes brought the government’s total to 64, ensuring the amendment’s passage. The upper house then approved all 59 clauses of the amendment individually, with senators standing to record their votes during each round.
After the final vote, the chairman ordered the chamber doors closed and formally announced the results, declaring that the amendment had been passed unanimously with 64 votes in favour and none against.
ایوان بالا (سینٹ) نے دو تہائ اکثریت سے 27ویں آئینی ترمیم کی منظوری دے دی۔ اب یہ ترمیم نیشنل اسمبلی میں پیش کی جائے گی اور توقع کی جاری ہے کہ اج ہی اسے نیشنل اسمبلی سے بھی پاس کروا لیا جائے گا۔
ؔ
مزید تفصیلات پارلیمنٹ ہاؤس سے بتا رہے ہیں ہمارے نمائندہ رانا مالہی#27thamendment pic.twitter.com/hiKNjnhA4F— Voicepk.net (@voicepkdotnet) November 10, 2025
Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House Ishaq Dar expressed gratitude to the lawmakers who supported the bill, especially acknowledging the two opposition senators who had defied their parties to vote in favour of the government. Speaking to the media after the session, he described the day’s outcome as a “victory for constitutionalism and parliamentary democracy.”
Controversy ensues
The decision of Saifullah Abro and Ahmed Khan to support the government immediately sparked controversy and backlash within their respective parties.
Senator Abro, who hails from Sindh and has had longstanding differences with the PTI leadership, later announced his resignation from the Senate. Talking to reporters, he said his vote was an expression of support for the Pakistan Army and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir.
“I voted for Pakistan and its army,” he said. “Ten members of my family were recently arrested, but my party did not raise its voice for us. My conscience compelled me to stand with the institution that has defended this country.”
Meanwhile, the JUI-F reacted sharply to Senator Ahmed Khan’s decision to back the amendment. The party announced his expulsion, stating that his vote was a violation of party policy.
In an official statement, the JUI-F leadership directed Ahmed Khan to resign from his Senate seat immediately and warned that if he failed to do so, the party would approach the Election Commission of Pakistan to seek his disqualification. Senator Kamran Murtaza, also from JUI-F, told reporters that the party’s central and provincial leadership would review the situation and determine further disciplinary actions.
Opposition parties outside Parliament criticized the passage of the amendment and questioned the transparency of the voting process. Senator Raja Nasir Abbas said the legislation contained “nothing of real benefit to the public,” while PTI’s parliamentary leader Senator Ali Zafar accused the government of undermining judicial independence.
“This amendment damages the judiciary and strengthens the executive at the cost of institutional balance,” said Zafar, adding that the government had “used pressure and persuasion” to ensure the numbers were met.
During the debate preceding the vote, JUI-F parliamentary leader Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman reiterated his party’s complete rejection of the bill, saying it offered “no reform worth supporting.”
On the other hand, Awami National Party’s (ANP) Senator Aimal Wali Khan said his party supported the legislation as it aimed to restore elements of provincial autonomy affected by earlier amendments.
All members of the governing alliance attended the session, including Senator Mohsin Naqvi, as the coalition sought to avoid any shortfall in votes. The 27th Amendment Bill’s passage was followed by adjournment of the Senate until Thursday.
Earlier in today, the government also introduced the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the National Assembly.