Islamabad, October 21,2024- After the Senate, the National Assembly has also passed the 26th Constitutional Amendment with a two-thirds majority. A special ceremony will be held today at the President’s House for the signing of the amendment bill. In both the Senate and National Assembly sessions, e-ach clause of the 26th Amendment was individually approved. In the Senate, 65 votes were cast in favor of the amendment, while 4 opposed it. In the National Assembly, 225 members voted in favor, and 12 opposed.
The PTI did not oppose the clauses presented by JUI-F in either house but walked out during voting on other clauses. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, frustrated with the judiciary, recited poetry during the National Assembly session. PPP Chairman remarked that the judiciary under Iftikhar Chaudhry was the “black snake” against the constitution, while the opposition termed the constitutional amendment as a political success. Opposition leader Omar Ayub said that the amendment represents a shift from “respect the vote” to “respect the boot,” claiming it was an attempt to undermine an independent judiciary. Maulana Fazlur Rehman added that this is a battle of personalities, with the ruling party fearing one judge and the opposition fearing another. Barrister Gohar declared the day a “dark chapter” in Pakistan’s constitutional and judicial history.
Details reveal that after the Senate, the National Assembly approved all 27 clauses of the 26th Amendment one by one, with the government securing a two-thirds majority in both houses. During the National Assembly session, 12 opposition members voted against the initial two clauses but later boycotted the proceedings and left the house. The government needed 224 votes for approval but received 225 votes in favor. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar tabled the amendment, which was voted on clause by clause. Several independent members, including Chaudhry Ilyas, Usman Ali, Mubarak Zeb, Zahoor Qureshi, and Aurangzeb Khichi, arrived at the session. These members were elected with PTI’s support.
