Senate strength emerges as 27th amend vote nears

As political consultations intensify over the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, the Senate's party composition has come into focus, revealing the delicate arithmetic that will determine the bill's fate.

According to official data, any constitutional amendment requires at least 64 votes in the 96-member upper house for passage.

The ruling coalition currently holds a numerical edge, led by the PPP with 26 seats, the single largest bloc in the Senate. The PML-N follows with 20 seats, forming the core of the government's legislative strength.

Among the coalition partners, the BAP holds four seats, while the MQM-P has three members. The NP and the PML-Q each occupy one seat.

Several independent senators also sit on the government benches, including Abdul Karim, Abdul Qadir, Mohsin Naqvi, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, Asad Qasim and Faisal Vawda, whose votes could prove decisive in close divisions.

On the opposition benches, the PTI holds the largest contingent with 14 senators, followed by the ANP with three. One independent senator, Naseema Ehsan, also aligns with the opposition, along with six PTI-backed independents.

A newly elected PTI senator is expected to take oath soon, while Murad Saeed, another PTI-backed independent, has yet to be sworn in.

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam maintains a significant presence on the opposition benches with seven senators, while the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen and the Sunni Ittehad Council each have one seat.