A two-thirds majority in both the National Assembly and Senate is required to pass a constitutional amendment in Pakistan, meaning the government needs 224 votes in the National Assembly and 64 votes in the Senate to approve the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
According to the current party position in the Senate, the treasury benches collectively hold 61 votes. The PPP is the largest party on the government side with 26 senators, followed by the PML-N with 20 members. The Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) has 4 senators, MQM-P holds 3 seats, while the National Party and the PML-Q have one senator each. In addition, three independent senators Abdul Karim, Abdul Qadir and Mohsin Naqvi sit with the treasury.
Three senators Anwaarul Haq Kakar, Asad Qasim and Faisal Vawda are not seated with either the government or opposition benches but have supported the government on key votes. With their support, the government’s strength rises to 61.
On the opposition benches, an independent senator, Naseema Ehsan, had voted with the government during the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The ANP, which holds 3 seats, had also supported the government at that time. If they repeat their support, the government could potentially secure 65 votes for the 27th Amendment.
The opposition bloc currently comprises 30 senators: 14 from the PTI, 6 PTI-backed independents, and one newly elected PTI-backed senator yet to take oath. Another PTI-backed independent, Murad Saeed, has also not taken oath so far. The opposition benches also include 7 members from JUI-Pakistan, one from MWM and one from the Sunni Ittehad Council. These parties are expected to oppose the amendment.
Meanwhile the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has already approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar has stated that the amendment will be presented in the Senate today.
