The federal cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is scheduled to meet today at 12 noon to discuss the important draft of constitutional amendments. This session was initially planned for 9:30 AM but has been postponed, and it is expected to approve the draft of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
Additionally, significant sessions of the National Assembly and Senate are also set to take place today, where the constitutional amendments are likely to be presented for approval. The government has authorized the National Assembly Secretariat to facilitate the amendments’ approval today.
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Sources indicate that the Legislature Department has prepared a supplementary agenda for the introduction of the 26th amendment, which will be submitted to both legislative bodies as soon as the government and the speaker provide their consent. The amendment is expected to be introduced by suspending parliamentary rules, although it is not currently listed in the agendas released for either the Senate or the National Assembly.
The Senate session, originally scheduled for 11 AM, has been moved to 12:30 PM and will be presided over by Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani. While a six-point agenda for the Senate has been issued, the constitutional amendment bill is not included. It is anticipated that a supplementary agenda will be proposed to introduce the bill during the session, pending majority approval.
Furthermore, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will present the Banking Companies Amendment Bill 2024 for Senate approval, and a motion will be made to suspend the question hour.
The National Assembly will also convene today at 3 PM under Speaker Ayaz Sadiq’s chairmanship. A nine-point agenda has been released, which does not currently include the constitutional amendment bill but may feature a supplementary agenda later. Key items on the National Assembly’s agenda include the presentation of the Legal Aid and Justice Authority Amendment Bill 2024 and addressing concerns over alleged large-scale malpractices in the collection of general sales tax.
Another notice regarding unpaid pensions for retired Radio Pakistan employees is expected, alongside discussions on the president’s address to a joint parliamentary session. Notably, a special parliamentary committee approved the draft constitutional amendments on Friday after efforts to reach a consensus among various parties, chaired by PPP leader Syed Khursheed Shah.
