ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — The Senate of Pakistan has passed the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill with overwhelming support, marking a significant milestone in the country’s legislative history. Chaired by Yusuf Raza Gilani, the session saw Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar move a motion to suspend regular proceedings. This motion, which paved the way for the discussion and voting on the bill, was approved without opposition.
A strategic pause before legislative action
Once the regular proceedings were suspended, Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazir Tarar presented the much-anticipated 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill. In a surprising turn of events, the bill encountered no resistance from any senator, signalling a unified stance on the proposed constitutional changes. The debate commenced, with parliamentary leaders contributing their thoughts on the bill, showcasing a rare moment of consensus in Pakistan’s often divisive political landscape.
Following the discussion, Minister Tarar moved for a vote. This marked the beginning of a critical phase in the legislative process, with the Senate moving swiftly to address the bill’s clauses one by one. Before the vote, Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani ensured that the Senate’s galleries were cleared, and the doors closed, emphasising the importance of maintaining focus and decorum during this pivotal session.
Opposition demands and government responses
During the proceedings, the opposition raised concerns, particularly targeting the presence of the Prime Minister’s advisor, Rana Sanaullah, and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan. They called for their removal from the session, questioning the legitimacy of their presence. However, Senator Ishaq Dar swiftly countered, defending their constitutional right to attend the session. Despite these objections, the Senate continued with the voting process, ignoring the opposition’s demands and focusing on the legislative work at hand.
The opposition’s dissent created tension within the chamber, leading to some disruption during the early stages of the voting process. However, their objections did little to alter the course of the proceedings, and the session moved forward without significant delays.
Clause-by-clause approval in the Senate
The most critical phase of the session came when the Senate began the clause-by-clause voting on the 26th Amendment Bill. Under Senate rules, a two-thirds majority was required for each clause to pass, meaning that 64 votes were needed for approval. In a decisive moment, the first clause garnered 65 votes in favour, with only 4 senators voting against it. This early result set the tone for the remainder of the session, as no further opposition votes were cast.
From the second clause to the 22nd, the bill received consistent support, with a two-thirds majority of 75 senators voting in favour of each clause. This unanimous backing highlighted the broad consensus among the legislators, a rare occurrence in Pakistan’s often fragmented political environment.
A historic day for Pakistan’s democracy
After the voting process concluded, Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani officially announced the results: 65 senators had voted in favour of the bill, while 4 opposed it. With the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, Pakistan’s legislature had reached a significant milestone, cementing the session as a historic moment in the country’s democratic journey.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, in his post-session remarks, lauded the day as a monumental achievement for Pakistan’s democracy. He emphasised that the passage of the amendment was not about personal agendas but rather about completing the long-standing objectives of the Charter of Democracy. Dar extended his congratulations to all the leaders and legislators who played a pivotal role in advancing the amendment, underscoring the collective effort behind this major constitutional development.
