The Pakistani government plans to introduce the 26th Constitutional Amendment in the Senate before presenting it in the National Assembly.
The amendment is slated for Senate review on October 17, after which it is expected to proceed to the National Assembly. Recent agreements between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) have paved the way for upcoming sessions of both legislative houses, scheduled for October 17.
According to sources, both houses are anticipated to pass the 26th Amendment on Thursday, October 19. Prioritizing the Senate marks a significant procedural change in the amendment’s progression. Additionally, the Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on a petition challenging the proposed amendment, which will be reviewed by a three-member bench on October 17.
JUI-F leader Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman recently emphasized that the JUI-F has a pivotal role in shaping the amendment. He affirmed that the final version of the amendment would follow the JUI-F’s draft and dismissed other alternatives.
In light of these developments, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has submitted a summary to the President, prompting the scheduling of a National Assembly session at 4:00 PM on October 17. The session is expected to provide ample opportunity for debate, allowing all parliamentary parties to weigh in on the proposed amendment.
