ISLAMABAD, NOV 5: The government’s mission to secure approval for the 27th Constitutional Amendment has entered its final phase, with leaders expressing confidence in achieving a majority in the Senate after the bill’s smooth passage through the National Assembly.
According to official and parliamentary sources, the government believes it has the support of 65 senators in the 96-member Upper House, enough to ensure the constitutional amendment’s approval.
Sources revealed that the government has already completed its numbers in the Senate, even without the support of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI). However, contacts with two JUI senators are still ongoing as part of efforts to secure additional votes if needed.
The deputy prime minister is said to be hopeful of winning the backing of three Awami National Party (ANP) senators, while independent Senator Nasima Ehsan has reportedly assured her support for the amendment.
Six independent senators expected to back amendment
According to parliamentary insiders, six more independent senators are also expected to vote in favour of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. These include Mohsin Naqvi, Abdul Karim, Faisal Vawda, Abdul Qadir, Anwarul Haq Kakar, and Asad Qasim.
Government strategists believe these commitments will provide a comfortable margin to pass the amendment, marking another legislative victory following success in the lower house.
Breakdown of Senate party positions
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) currently holds the largest share in the Senate with 26 members, followed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with 20 members. The Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) has four, while the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) holds three seats.
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The ANP also has three senators, while one member each represents the National Party and the PML-Q.
Opposition benches hold 29 members
On the opposition side, there are 29 members in total, including 14 senators from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and seven from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI). The opposition also includes six independents, and one member each from the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) and the Sunni Ittehad Council.
However, independent opposition members Murad Saeed and Khurram Zeeshan have not yet taken oath, temporarily reducing the opposition’s effective strength.
It is worth noting that the ruling coalition holds a clear two-thirds majority in the National Assembly required for the approval of the amendment. The government currently enjoys the support of 237 members, while 224 votes are needed to pass a constitutional amendment.
Within the National Assembly, the coalition comprises 125 members from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), 74 from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), 22 from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), five from the Pakistan Muslim League (PML), and four from the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).
Ministers’ foreign visits cancelled
In view of the upcoming 27th Constitutional Amendment, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has canceled all foreign visits of federal ministers and directed them to remain in Islamabad until further notice.
According to official sources, the prime minister has also instructed all government members of parliament to stay in the capital as the government focuses on securing the amendment’s approval.
“All federal ministers and government MPs must remain in Islamabad,” the directive stated, emphasizing the importance of their presence during the ongoing legislative process.
Also Read: Key points of proposed 27th Amendment: All you need to know
The move is part of the government’s mission to ensure the smooth passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which is expected to be presented before the Senate in the coming days.
Key points of proposed 27th Amendment: All you need to know
The government’s draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment has come to light, unveiling sweeping constitutional changes that aim to restructure Pakistan’s judicial, administrative, and military frameworks.
The proposed amendment includes the establishment of a Constitutional Court, alterations in the command of the army, and potential adjustments in the NFC award affecting provincial shares.
At the top of the amendment is the proposal to establish a Constitutional Court in place of the current Constitutional Bench. The new court would take over constitutional interpretation and adjudication duties, marking a significant shift in Pakistan’s judicial architecture.
Also Read: 27th Amendment likely to be presented in Senate on Nov 7
Under the proposal, the chief justice of the Constitutional Court would head both the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and the Judicial Commission, replacing the current leadership held by the chief justice of Pakistan.
Judicial reforms and transfer of judges
The amendment also seeks to remove the requirement of consent from both the judge and the chief justice concerned for the transfer of high court judges — a key change in Article 200 of the Constitution. This modification is expected to streamline judicial transfers but has raised debate over judicial independence.
Also Read: PML-N seeks PPP support for 27th Amendment, confirms Bilawal
According to government sources, the amendment also includes provisions for changes in the command structure of the Pakistan Army, though specific details have not been publicly disclosed. The move signals an intention to bring greater clarity and structure to military command transitions.
NFC Award, federal control over key sectors
A significant fiscal adjustment is also being considered. The proposed amendment leaves room to reduce the share of provinces in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, a measure that could reshape the balance of financial power between the federation and the provinces.
In addition, the government plans to return population welfare and education to federal control — areas currently managed by provincial governments under the 18th Amendment. The proposal also includes restoring executive magistrates, reinstating a structure that was previously abolished.
