NA passes constitutional amendment: PM declares it a historic day for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: After the Senate, the National Assembly (NA) passed the constitutional amendment with a two-thirds majority in the early hours of Monday, with the Prime Minister declaring it a historic day for Pakistan.

After the passing of the amendment from NA President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to grant his assent to the amendment at a ceremony today.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar introduced the amendment bill in the National Assembly.

After specs from treasury and opposition benches, the amendment was passed in the early hours of Monday.

At least 225 members of the National Assembly supported the motion, while 12 members from the PTI and the Sunni-Ittehad Council (SIC) opposed it.

In addition to the government’s 211 votes, eight JUI members and six independent members also voted for the amendment.

Under the judicial reforms passed during a late-night session of Parliament, the chief justice of Pakistan will now be selected by a parliamentary committee and have a fixed term of three years. A new constitutional bench will also be formed.

Speaking on the floor of the House, the prime minister emphasised that the amendment represents not just a legal change, but a symbol of unity and consensus.

“This is more than an amendment; it is a reaffirmation of solidarity and agreement across political lines,” he noted.

Senate approves 26th constitutional amendment with two-thirds majority

Reflecting on the past, PM Shehbaz criticised what he termed “palace conspiracies” that led to the dismissal of governments and prime ministers.

He lamented that such actions had caused significant financial losses to the national treasury. “Billions were lost due to arbitrary decisions that harmed the country’s economy,” he said.

The prime minister also underscored the importance of justice, noting that millions of Pakistanis are still waiting for fairness in a system where cases have dragged on for years.

“There are people whose loved ones have passed away while waiting for justice. This amendment will make access to justice easier for the common man,” he said.

PM Shehbaz paid tribute to the late Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, recalling that the Charter of Democracy they signed in 2006 laid the foundation for today’s constitutional reforms.

He also thanked political leaders like President Asif Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, JUI-F Emir Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and other allies for their role in making the amendment possible.

In a clear message to the opposition, the prime minister addressed accusations and criticism, stating that no one can question the legitimacy of this vote as it “wasn’t influenced by any ‘lotas’ (turncoats); this was the will of the elected representatives.”

He further expressed regret that the PTI did not participate in the process, though he maintained that the amendment was a victory for Pakistan.

“The entire country has witnessed that we set aside personal interests,” he added.

The prime minister concluded by thanking the Speaker of the National Assembly and all members who contributed to the passage of the amendment, reaffirming his belief that the reform will strengthen and safeguard the country’s future.