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National Assembly gears up to approve key Constitutional Amendment today

National Assembly

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly is set to resume its session today, where lawmakers are expected to take up the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, with its approval considered highly likely.

Debate on the amendment has been underway since yesterday, and the House is expected to pass the bill clause by clause during today’s proceedings. The bill was formally presented in the assembly on Tuesday.

According to sources, the government needs 224 votes to secure the amendment’s passage and currently enjoys the support of 237 members of the ruling coalition.

Former Prime Minister and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif is also expected to attend the session and cast his vote in favor of the amendment, sources confirmed.

Government insiders stated that the administration intends to expedite the establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court immediately after the President signs the amendment. The process of forming the court will begin as soon as presidential assent is granted.

Sources added that if the bill is passed today, judges of the Federal Constitutional Court could take oath as early as Thursday, marking the court’s formal establishment.

The 27th Amendment empowers the President and Prime Minister—through mutual consultation—to appoint judges to the new court. The bill has already been approved by the Senate.

Meanwhile, opposition parties have submitted their alternative constitutional amendments to the National Assembly Secretariat, which they plan to present separately. However, the government is confident it will defeat the opposition’s proposals with a two-thirds majority and ensure the amendment’s approval in today’s session.

Ruling coalition crosses two-thirds mark in National Assembly

Ruling coalition

ISLAMABAD: The ruling alliance in the National Assembly has garnered support from 237 members, comfortably exceeding the 224 votes needed for a two-thirds majority.

Among the coalition ranks, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) accounts for 126 members, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) 75, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) 22. Further backing comes from Quaid-e-Azam League (5), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (4), Zia League (1), and Balochistan Awami Party (1), along with support from four independent members.

However, the National Party, part of the coalition, has announced it will abstain from voting on the 27th Amendment.

On the opposition side, 89 members are in favor of opposing the bill, including 74 independents, one member from Sunni Ittehad Council, 10 from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), and one each from BNP, MWM, and PKMAP.

Meanwhile, The National Assembly is set to convene shortly, with an 11-point agenda released ahead of the session.

Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar is scheduled to present the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill for approval, while attention-drawing notices are also included on the agenda.

Additionally, the government will table bills for the establishment of two new educational institutions for consideration.

It is noteworthy that the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed in the Senate yesterday with a two-thirds majority, receiving 64 votes in favor and none against.

Meanwhile, the United Opposition has announced a boycott of both the Senate and National Assembly sessions.