National Assembly Approves 26th Constitutional Amendment with Two-Thirds Majority
In a late-night session, the National Assembly of Pakistan approved the 26th Constitutional Amendment with a two-thirds majority. The session, which began at 11:30 PM, saw significant parliamentary action before being adjourned and resumed after midnight.
Key Highlights of the Session
- Federal Law Minister Nazir Tarar presented the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which garnered 225 votes in favor and 12 votes against.
- Speaker Ayaz Sadiq chaired the meeting, which continued into the early hours of the morning.
- The opposition boycotted the session during the clause-by-clause voting of the first two clauses and walked out of the House. However, six dissenting members voted in favor of the amendment, five of whom were from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and one from the Q-League (QL).
- The bill was passed with overwhelming support, marking it as a major legislative success for the government.
Final Steps and Adjournment
With the approval from both the Senate and the National Assembly, the amendment now awaits the signature of the President to formally become a part of the Constitution.
The National Assembly session continued until 5:00 AM before being adjourned until 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 22.
This development reflects a significant moment in Pakistan’s legislative process, indicating a strong push for constitutional reforms by the current government.