The 27th Constitutional Amendment was passed by the upper house, the Senate, with 64 votes in favor of the amendment, no votes against it, and the opposition walked out of the Senate session.
According to Dawn News, Federal Law Minister Senator Azam Nazir Tarar presented the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which was passed by a two-thirds majority. 64 votes were cast in favor of the constitutional amendment, no votes were cast against the amendment, while the opposition members walked out of the session.
Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani announced the approval of the constitutional amendment after the voting process was completed.
He said that 64 votes were cast in favor of the 27th Amendment, PML-N parliamentary leader Irfan Siddiqui is seriously ill and on a ventilator, his vote could not be cast.
He said that I took the matter forward through discussions with the opposition and the government, and all members were made part of the discussion on the constitutional amendment.
The Chairman Senate said that under the Charter of Democracy, all political parties discussed, tried and unanimously brought the constitutional amendment.
Earlier, during the Senate session, the clause-by-clause approval of the 27th Amendment to the Constitution continued, and all 59 clauses were approved.
64 members of the Senate voted in favor of the amendments, with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Saifullah and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Senator Ahmed Khan voting in favor of the amendment.
Opposition members walked out of the Senate session during the clause-by-clause approval of the constitutional amendment.
Earlier, the report of the Standing Committee on the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill 2025 was presented, and Senator Farooq Hamid Naik, the head of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, presented the report.
According to Dawn News, while presenting the report of the Standing Committee on the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill 2025 in the Senate, Senator Farooq H. Naik said that there have been many changes in the Constitutional Amendment Bill, the committee has approved the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court.
Senator Farooq H. Naik further said that the Constitutional Court that will be formed will have equal representation of all provinces, the committee has made many changes after deliberation.
He said that the committee suggested that a judge who has served in the High Court for a period of 7 to 5 years will be appointed as a judge of the Constitutional Court, the committee has included a technocrat.
Farooq H. Naik said that the committee has kept the suo moto power but this process has been made subject to the application, when someone makes an application and the Constitutional Court considers it necessary, a hearing will be held.
The head of the standing committee further said that an amendment has also been proposed regarding the transfer of judges. The method of transfer will be changed and it will be done through the Judicial Commission. The transfer will be done under the conditions of the Judicial Commission.
Senator Farooq H. Naik said that if a judge refuses, a reference will be filed against him so that he can give reasons for the refusal. If he cannot give valid reasons, he will be considered retired.
The head of the standing committee further said that the clause granting lifelong immunity to the President has been amended. If he becomes a public office holder, the immunity will end. After the public office ends, the immunity will be restored.
Senator Farooq H. Naik said that the committee recommended that the Speaker select members for the Judicial Commission. They can be women, non-Muslims or technocrats.
He said that the committee inserted a clause that if the case is not decided within a year, the stay will end.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Saifullah Abro, who voted in favor of the constitutional amendment, announced his resignation from his seat, saying, “I am resigning from my seat here today. Please de-notify me.” The Senate session was later adjourned until 4 p.m. on Thursday.
