Senate passes 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill amid opposition’s protest

The Senate on Monday passed the contentious 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill with clause-by-clause voting amidst the opposition's protest.

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar tabled the motion to present the amendment bill in the upper house of Parliament as Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) members staged a protest in front of the Senate chairman’s dais.

PTI Senator Saifullah Abro remained seated throughout the protest and did not join his party colleagues. When voting began on the motion to present the amendment, Abro stood in support of allowing it to be taken up. JUI-F Senator Ahmed Khan also supported the motion.

A total of 64 senators endorsed all 59 clauses of the amendment in a step-by-step voting procedure, with the members casting their votes while standing in their seats.

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Once the clause-wise approval was completed, Azam Nazeer Tarar formally presented the amendment for final approval. Senators then proceeded to their designated lobbies to vote either for or against the bill. 

In the final count, 64 members voted in favour of the amendment, while not a single vote was cast against it.

Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani announced the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, confirming that all 64 votes recorded were in its favour and none in opposition.

After the voting process concluded, Saifullah Abro and Ahmed Khan did not return to the chamber.