Action on PTI dissident Senator’s resignation halted ahead of 27th Amendment vote

Action on the resignation of PTI’s dissident Senator Saifullah Abro has been halted, a reporter told The Express Tribune on Wednesday, ahead of the approval of the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

Senator Abro had submitted his resignation in Parliament, but it has not yet been signed by the Chairman of the Senate. Consequently, no reference under Article 63A of the Constitution has been sent.

Earlier on Monday, the Senate approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill 2025 with a two-thirds majority, amid protests from opposition members. Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani announced that 64 members voted in favour of the bill, while none opposed it. “The bill is hereby passed,” he declared.

Members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged a strong protest during the proceedings, tearing copies of the bill and gathering in front of the chairman’s dais, chanting slogans against the government. Despite the commotion, voting continued, and clause-by-clause approval was granted.

Read: Changes expected in 27th Amendment draft bill before National Assembly

PTI Senator Saifullah Abro did not join the protest and instead voted in favour of the amendment. JUI-F Senators Ahmed Khan and Naseema Ehsan also supported the bill.

Senator Hamid Khan told reporters that PTI and JUI senators had boycotted the session, claiming establishment pressure influenced some lawmakers to side with the government.

The 27th Constitutional Amendment is to be voted on Wednesday (today) in the National Assembly. Federal Law Minister Azam Tarar has confirmed that additional amendments will be brought to the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

These supplementary changes will be presented in the National Assembly, with separate lists prepared for government and opposition proposals. Eleven opposition amendments have also been included on the agenda, government sources have said.

PPP parliamentary meeting

Azam Tarar met with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to discuss the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The meeting was also attended by Naveed Qamar, Sherry Rehman, the Attorney General, and Murtaza Wahab.

Members of the PPP convened a parliamentary party meeting in the Parliament House today.

National Assembly seats

The NA comprises of 336 members, but with 10 seats currently vacant, the total number of sitting members stands at 326. To pass a constitutional amendment, the ruling coalition requires the “golden figure” of 224 votes.