All 22 Clauses of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Passed by Senate, No PTI Member Defected

After clause-by-clause voting, the Senate approved all 22 clauses of the 26th constitutional amendment.

In the Senate session, chaired by Yousaf Raza Gillani, the Minister of Law, Azam Nazir Tarar, presented the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill.

Following this, the Law Minister moved a motion for voting on the constitutional amendments, which was approved by a majority vote in the house.

During the session, the Chairman of the Senate addressed the opposition, saying, "Only five of you are sitting in the house, should I even count?"

Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani ordered that the Senate gallery be cleared and the doors be locked. The lobbies and visitor galleries were also emptied. He remarked, "I have passed 104 amendments in the National Assembly."

Afterwards, the doors of the Senate were locked for clause-by-clause approval of the 26th constitutional amendment, and the process began.

Under the constitution, a two-thirds majority is required for each clause's approval. 65 members voted in favor of Clause No. 2, raising the government’s number from 58 to 65.

JUI's First Amendment Introduced in the Senate

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) introduced its first amendment in the Senate, presented by Senator Kamran Murtaza.

While presenting the amendment, Senator Kamran Murtaza said that interest (Riba) should be abolished, and it should be eliminated from the country before January 1, 2028.

There were 4 votes against the motion for the constitutional amendment.

The opposition demanded the removal of Rana Sanaullah and the Attorney General, to which government senators responded that it is their constitutional right to be seated here.

Senator Ishaq Dar said, “When the bill is approved, it will be through division, and votes will be counted at that time.”

The Law Minister stated that political parties in Parliament were invited, and JUI and allied parties agreed on a draft. Some amendments by Senator Kamran Murtaza regarding the agreed constitutional amendment were noted.

Azam Nazir Tarar mentioned that a committee was formed to discuss the constitutional amendment, with participation from all parliamentary parties, including consultations with the opposition. JUI’s proposals were considered, and allied parties reached a consensus on the draft.

The Law Minister added that the constitutional amendment bill was brought to the supplemental agenda for consideration.

He noted that the method for appointing judges was changed in the 18th amendment, and Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa has always said he is not interested in any extension. The Chief Justice will complete his term and leave.

Azam Nazir Tarar said that an amendment regarding constitutional benches in the Supreme Court has been proposed. One Chief Justice opened the door, leading to a flood of suo motu notices. Our courts have sent elected Prime Ministers home.

The Law Minister said that the Judicial Commission should also have the authority to evaluate judges’ performance, and it will appoint constitutional benches. An appointment for Chief Justice will be limited to a three-year term, and the appointment will be from the three senior-most judges. A 12-member parliamentary committee will agree on the Chief Justice’s name with a two-thirds majority.

Azam Nazir Tarar added that the right to a clean environment will also be included in fundamental rights, and there is room for constitutional benches in the provinces as well. The house should approve the constitutional amendment bill.

He concluded, “We started this work with good intentions. We are grateful to Maulana Fazlur Rahman. I request the entire house to vote for the bill’s passage. These provisions have been made to provide quick and affordable justice to the common people of Pakistan.” Article 9A has been added to the constitutional amendment bill.