After the Senate approved the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill 2024 with a two-thirds majority on Sunday evening, the National Assembly followed suit, passing the contentious bill with the same majority. The government needed 224 votes to succeed and received 225, despite some opposition members staging a walkout.
NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq initiated the voting after allowing parliamentary leaders to speak. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the bill during a session that began late Sunday and extended into Monday morning.
The bill had been in the works for some time, developed by a special parliamentary committee formed last month, which included representatives from various political parties, including the PTI, to review proposals and finalize its content.
Following a brief recess, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addressed the assembly with a speech lasting over 50 minutes. He praised Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his crucial role in ensuring the bill’s passage, stating, “Maulana Fazlur Rehman did the most to ensure the success of this bill. His contribution has been historic.”
Bilawal expressed gratitude to several political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Independent Parliamentary Group (IPP), JUI-F, and Awami National Party (ANP), for their cooperation. He also thanked the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for contributing to the success of the bill, wishing they hadn’t framed their own victory as a loss.
In contrast, PTI Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan criticized the amendments, claiming they did not represent the true will of the Pakistani people. He directed comments at Law Minister Tarar and Bilawal, suggesting that they should also acknowledge those who had “gone missing.”
Ayub mentioned alleged mistreatment of PTI lawmakers and asserted that the government was enacting the amendment under pressure. He questioned the urgency of the bill’s passage, asking, “What would have happened had it been passed on October 31?” He expressed concerns that the amendments threatened judicial independence and stated that PTI members had been instructed to refrain from participating in the process.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif defended the amendment, arguing that its Senate passage was crucial to restore the dignity of parliament. He emphasized the need for consistent political behavior to gain respect. Asif stated that the amendments were not new initiatives but rather extensions of the Charter of Democracy, which had been endorsed by all major political leaders, including Imran Khan.
The Charter of Democracy, signed on May 14, 2006, was a response to General Pervez Musharraf’s military rule, aimed at fostering democratic principles and preventing the misuse of power by unelected entities.
Rehman also commended all political parties, including the PTI, for their contributions to the bill’s success. He noted that the discussions were prompted by concerns over Supreme Court judges seeking extended terms and advocated for amendments to prevent conflicts between the legislature and judiciary.
He reaffirmed commitment to the Charter of Democracy, emphasizing the Constitution’s importance in maintaining political integrity. Rehman mentioned that while initial agreements included 65 clauses, extensive discussions ultimately finalized 22.
Addressing PTI’s concerns and Imran Khan’s imprisonment, he condemned the harsh treatment of political leaders, saying, “Had I anticipated the fate that awaited Imran Khan, I would have spoken out against it.”
Rehman acknowledged the challenges in achieving unity among opposition parties and the government, reflecting on the difficulties faced in reaching agreements on court formations.
MQM-P leader Dr. Farooq Sattar noted that Pakistan’s political and judicial history has often been fraught with conflict. He stated, “While some core principles of the 26th Constitutional Amendment may pose risks to the MQM and its voters, we prioritize the greater good of the country.”
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan voiced strong opposition to the constitutional amendments, asserting they aimed to create a court lacking independence. He clarified that although PTI participated in parliamentary discussions, they did not consent to any part of the document, deeming it illegitimate.
