ISLAMABAD: The voting process for Pakistan’s 27th Amendment bill is currently underway in the National Assembly, following a closely contested division vote. The session was marked by dramatic political exchanges, with key national figures such as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari present in the chamber.
The bill, introduced by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, required a two-thirds majority in the 336-member house to pass. The ruling coalition, led by PML-N and supported by PPP and allied parties, appears confident of securing the majority, with their combined seats totaling 125 (PML-N), 74 (PPP), and additional allies, surpassing the opposition’s 103 seats. This legislative move follows the coalition’s successful passage of the bill through the Senate, despite strong opposition resistance.
As Minister Tarar began his speech, opposition members assembled on the Speaker’s dais in protest, expressing their dissent vociferously.
Following a brief exchange between the two Sharifs, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addressed the assembly. His speech was often interrupted by disruptions from opposition members, primarily PTI legislators, who displayed photographs of Imran Khan and chanted slogans. The opposition also resorted to tearing copies of the bill as a form of protest.In his remarks, Bhutto-Zardari condemned the recent surge in terrorist incidents across the country. He called on elected representatives to put aside political differences and work toward national unity to address internal and external security challenges.
Turning to the contents of the bill, Bhutto-Zardari explained that the 27th Amendment aims to fulfill key promises of the Charter of Democracy, particularly the establishment of constitutional courts and amendments to Article 243, which would provide constitutional safeguards for the rank of Field Marshal. He emphasized the PPP’s dedication to legislative consensus, recalling their efforts during the passage of the 18th Amendment and the original 1973 Constitution. While expressing hope for a unified vote, he acknowledged that the government had the numbers to pass the bill, though consensus remained elusive.
In response, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticized the opposition for selective historical memory and accused them of hypocrisy. He argued that their protests against the amendment were politically motivated, contrasting their current stance with their previous acceptance of what he called “fascist” actions and the unconstitutional dismissal of the no-confidence motion in 2022.
