ISALMMABAD: The Senate approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill on Monday, with 64 lawmakers voting in favor. The bill was moved by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, while Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani chaired the session.
The voting process began with clause-by-clause consideration, followed by division voting, during which the Senate’s entry and exit gates were closed in accordance with procedure. Following the vote, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar announced in the Upper House that the Field Marshal rank had now been formally incorporated into the Constitution.
Opposition senators strongly opposed the legislation, chanting slogans, tearing copies of the bill, and eventually walking out of the chamber in protest.
During the clause-by-clause voting, JUI-F Senator Ahmed Khan and PTI Senator Saifullah Abro supported the amendment. Two votes were cast against the first clause, but in the subsequent count, all clauses received approval with 64 votes.
After the final round of voting, with Senate doors sealed to maintain order, the chairman declared that the bill had achieved the required two-thirds majority and congratulated members on its passage.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar explained that an amendment to Article 243 had been made to accommodate the five-star rank, officially including the Field Marshal title in the Constitution. He also described the creation of separate constitutional courts as a major step forward, noting that the idea had been part of the Charter of Democracy.
Dar emphasized that separating constitutional courts would lead to more efficient case resolution without affecting the seniority of the Chief Justice of Pakistan or other judges. He pointed out that several countries already operate with constitutional courts, and the amendment aims to strengthen Pakistan’s judicial system.
On the matter of renaming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dar recalled that the province’s name was changed under the 18th Amendment at the request of the ANP. He mentioned that there have been renewed calls to rename it simply “Pakhtunkhwa,” and that further discussions will be held on the issue.
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