Islamabad, October 20,2024- The Senate has successfully passed the 26th Constitutional Amendment, garnering a significant majority with 65 votes in favor and only four against. Notably, no members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) dissented from the party guidelines. The Balochistan National Party (BNP) expressed its support for the government’s proposed changes, while PTI refrained from opposing the amendments put forth by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F).
PTI senators Faisal Saleem and Dr. Zarqa were absent from the voting session and did not participate in the proceedings. Senator Saadia Abbasi, sister of former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), voted in favor of the amendment. BNP Mengal members Qasim Ronjho and Naseema Ihsan also supported the measure.
The amended clauses 2, 3, 4, and 5 proposed by JUI were approved unanimously, with more than two-thirds of the Senate in favor, and no dissenting voices were heard. Additionally, the Senate unanimously passed an amendment aimed at eliminating usury. Following the vote, PTI senators exited the proceedings concerning the constitutional amendment.
