PTI senator resigns after voting for 27th amend

ISLAMABAD:

PTI Senator Saifullah Abro on Monday announced his resignation after voting in favour of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, in violation of his party’s policy.

Enumerating his reasons for casting a vote in favour of the amendment which also seeks immunity for Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Abro, while speaking on the Senate floor, said India faced global humiliation because of the Pakistan Army’s role in the India-Pakistan confrontation in May this year.

“No one has ever shown the kind of respect [US] President [Donald] Trump showed to the field marshal. I voted because of the field marshal, and I came today to vote because of General Asim Munir,” he said.

Abro said during the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment in October last year, ten members of his family were abducted. “What did my party do to raise its voice for me after that?” he asked.  He then announced that he is resigning from his Senate seat.

Upon hearing his announcement, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani remarked, “Senator Saifullah Abro has resigned—but we will make you a senator again.”

Earlier, following Abro’s vote against party policy on the 27th Constitutional Amendment, the PTI decided to initiate action against him under Article 63-A of the Constitution.

Senator Ali Zafar of the PTI said Saifullah Abro now stood disqualified.

“We will file a reference against him in the Election Commission [of Pakistan]. As the parliamentary leader, I had instructed all senators not to vote.  Saifullah Abro has violated party discipline and voted in favour of the government,” he added.