The government is set to table the 27th Amendment bill in the Senate today, aiming to secure the required votes for its passage. Sources confirmed on Monday that the government needs 64 votes to approve the constitutional amendment.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told media, “There is no issue, we have the required number and are going to the Senate.” The government and its allies currently hold 61 votes in the Senate. However, the Chairman of the Senate does not cast a vote, and PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui is hospitalized, creating a shortfall.
Sources claim that the ANP’s three senators will support the 27th Amendment, while BNP’s Naseema Ahsan and independent Senator Asad Qasim Ronjho are also expected to back the legislation. These additional votes would bring the government to the “magic number” of 64 required for passage.
Opposition Stance
Opposition parties have strongly rejected the 27th Amendment, vowing to block its passage. Senator Ali Zafar stated, “We will try our utmost today that the amendment could not be passed in the Senate.”
PTI senators have highlighted concerns over exemptions granted under the amendment, criticizing it on principle. “If someone has committed any crime, they should be punished,” one opposition member said, referring to recent remarks by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto.
A joint parliamentary session of opposition parties from both the National Assembly and the Senate is scheduled at 3:00 PM today to discuss strategies to oppose the bill.
The passage of the 27th Amendment remains a critical political issue, with both the government and opposition closely monitoring the proceedings. Analysts suggest that while the government appears confident, the opposition’s unified approach could lead to significant debate in the Senate.
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