ISLAMABAD: Opposition parties in the Senate, led by Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, announced a boycott of the session over the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill presented in the upper house this afternoon.
The opposition leaders termed the amendment a conspiracy against the system and the country as well.
Earlier, the joint parliamentary committee’s report on the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill was tabled in the Senate today afternoon. The report has been presented in the Senate following slight modifications to the version earlier approved by the federal cabinet. The 27th Constitutional Amendment proposes sweeping changes to Pakistan’s judicial system and military command structure.
Senator Farook H. Naek presented the report in the upper house. The bill includes provisions for the establishment of a federal constitutional court, lifetime status for the field marshal rank, and permanent immunity for the president. The Senate Secretariat issued the orders of the day for November 10, listing the presentation and consideration of the bill as major agenda items. After the recitation, Senator Farooq H. Naek, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, presented the committee’s report on the proposed amendment. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar is expected to move the bill for consideration and passage.
Government Confident of Securing Passage
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif expressed confidence that the government possessed the required numbers in the upper house to pass the bill. Speaking to the media, he said voting would take place once all members were present. He added that, “God willing, the 27th Amendment will be passed by the Senate today.”
Opposition Vows to Resist the Bill
Opposition parties have vowed to block the passage of the amendment and announced plans for a strong protest during the session. PTI Senator Ali Zafar stated that the opposition would ensure the bill’s failure, criticising the clause granting immunity to officeholders. He maintained that no individual, including the president or governors, should be exempt from legal accountability.
PPP’s Senator Farooq H. Naek pointed out that some minor changes have been made in the proposed amendment. Earlier, the parliamentary committee authorised Naek and Law Minister Tarar to finalise the remaining adjustments before the bill’s consideration in the Senate.
