NA begins clause-by-clause voting on 27th Constitutional Amendment

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly has began clause-by-clause voting on the 27th Constitutional Amendment amidst opposition protest and boycott.

Additional amendments have also been tabled in the NA, with separate lists of government and opposition proposals. Once the 27th Constitutional Amendment is approved, the bill will be sent back to the Senate.

Change is expected in Article 6, related to treason, specifically to Clause 2A of the Constitution and no act of treason mentioned under sub-clauses 1 or 2 will be validated by any court, including the Federal Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, or high courts.

The Senate schedule has also been revised, with the session now convene today at 5 pm.

Earlier, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment in the National Assembly stating that the Senate had passed the bill with a two-thirds majority.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari are attending the National Assembly session. The current NA session is likely to approve the 27th Amendment today.

The government requires 224 votes for the bill’s passage and reportedly enjoys the support of 237 members.

According to sources, the government has decided to introduce further amendments to the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill. The additional amendments will be presented in the National Assembly, with separate lists for government and opposition proposals. Once approved, the bill will be sent back to the Senate.

It is expected that Article 6 of the Constitution — pertaining to high treason — will be amended. Specifically, clause 2A of Article 6 will be revised.

Sources said that the name of the Federal Constitutional Court will also be added alongside the Supreme Court. Any act of treason, as defined in clauses 1 or 2, will not be validated by any court, including the Federal Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, or any High Court.

The Senate session schedule has also been revised — it will now convene a day earlier at 5 pm today.

Government sources have confirmed that additional amendments to the 27th Amendment Bill are being introduced, while 11 amendments proposed by the opposition are also included on the agenda.

Meanwhile, proceedings on the resignation of PTI dissident Senator Saifullah Abro have been halted in connection with the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

 The Senate chairman has not signed Abro’s resignation, and no reference has been sent under Article 63A. Abro had earlier submitted his resignation to Parliament.

Earlier, Azam Tarar also met PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The meeting was attended by Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman, Murtaza Wahab, and the Attorney General.

When a journalist asked Bilawal whether the amendment was meant to benefit a particular individual, he replied, “I will address that in my speech.”

When questioned about growing criticism of the PPP over the 27th Amendment, Bilawal said, “The PPP has always faced criticism.”

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Law Minister Tarar said discussions were ongoing over two to three constructive proposals related to the amendment, and voting would be held today. If the amendment passed by the Senate is altered, the changes will be referred back to the Senate for approval.

The minister said that any ambiguities in the bill could be discussed in the National Assembly, noting that Article 239 of the Constitution vests the authority to make amendments in Parliament — not the constitutional courts.

After meeting Tarar, Bilawal held consultations with the PPP’s legal team, which included Sherry Rehman and Farooq H Naek.