Members of the opposition, particularly from PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf), strongly opposed bill
ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-Nov 13rd, 2025) The Senate of Pakistan has approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment with a two-thirds majority in a session presided over by Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani. The bill, which had already been passed by the National Assembly, was presented in the Senate by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. The amended bill consists of 56 clauses and brings significant changes to Pakistan’s constitutional framework.
Opposition Protests
As the 27th Amendment was introduced, members of the opposition, particularly from PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf), strongly opposed the bill. PTI Senator Ali Zafar argued that members who vote against their party’s policies, particularly regarding constitutional amendments, should be disqualified. He emphasized that such members, under Article 63-A of the Constitution, should no longer be eligible to participate in voting on key matters.
In response, JUI-F Senator Kamran Murtaza expressed dissatisfaction with the Nawaz League's actions, claiming that this issue would affect their future relations with the party. He added that members who voted against party policies could not expect to be re-elected under the party’s name.
Delay in JUI-F member’s arrival
During the session, JUI-F dissident Ahmad Khan was initially absent but eventually arrived as the voting on the amendment proceeded.
Key amendments and revisions
Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar highlighted the key changes in the 27th Amendment, which included the removal of certain clauses and the clarification of the position of the Chief Justice of Pakistan:
Article 255, Article 214, and Article 168(2) were removed.
Article 42 was also amended.
Several additional amendments were made to Article 6 and other judicial provisions, including the Federal Constitutional Court and the clarification of the role of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
These changes reflect the government's intent to further refine the judiciary's structure and the legal process in Pakistan.
Debate on Article 63-A
A major point of contention during the debate was Article 63-A, which deals with disqualification of lawmakers for defying party policies. Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar explained that the Constitution does not automatically disqualify members who vote against party policies, and that the matter could be referred to the Election Commission for further review. He noted that a direct appeal could be made to the Supreme Court if the decision went against a member.
On the issue of resignations, Tarar emphasized the importance of a written record for any resignation, pointing out that some members, including from PTI, had not followed this process. PTI had previously filed a petition in the Lahore High Court over the resignation issue.
Voting process and final approval
The Senate held a vote on the proposed amendments, with key provisions related to Article 6 and Article 10(2A). Despite protests from JUI-F and PTI, who chose to boycott the voting, the amendments were passed with 64 votes in favor and 4 votes against.
Following the completion of the voting process, the Senate confirmed the 27th Constitutional Amendment with a two-thirds majority, paving the way for its final approval.
Next steps
With the Senate’s approval, the 27th Constitutional Amendment will now be sent to President Dr. Arif Alvi for final approval. Once the President signs the bill, the Ministry of Law will issue a gazette notification, officially making the amendments part of Pakistan’s Constitution.
Earlier in the National Assembly, the amendment had been passed with 234 votes in favor, well above the required 224 votes for a two-thirds majority. Despite strong opposition from JUI-F, who voted against the amendment, the government successfully garnered the necessary support for the bill’s passage.
The 27th Constitutional Amendment is expected to bring about significant legal reforms in Pakistan, particularly with respect to judicial appointments and the role of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, marking a key moment in the country’s constitutional history.
