ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif will attend today’s National Assembly session to cast his vote in favour of the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
Speaking on a TV show, Asif said the Afghan Taliban regime had formally condemned the recent Islamabad suicide attack “only to later claim they had denounced it.” He warned that mediators in peace talks should also expect a response from Pakistan, revealing that security forces recently foiled a major attack at Wana Cadet College that could have been “bigger than the Army Public School tragedy.”
The Senate approved the 27th Amendment on Monday, and the bill was tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday. Its final approval is expected today, as the government commands the support of 237 lawmakers, well above the required 224 votes.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the amendment on Tuesday. Parliamentary party leaders and ministers debated the bill, though Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto did not speak. They are expected to address the House today before the voting process begins.
The amendment will be approved clause by clause 59 in total before Speaker Ayaz Sadiq directs members supporting and opposing the bill to move to their respective lobbies. Once the doors are sealed and votes signed, the Speaker will announce the results.
JUI-F to Vote Against 27th Amendment
Officials expect 235 votes in favour and nine against. The united opposition has opposed the bill, while JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, currently abroad, has instructed his party’s lawmakers to vote against it.
Strong protests are anticipated from opposition benches, particularly from PTI lawmakers, who are likely to tear up copies of the bill and stage demonstrations inside and outside Parliament, as they did in the Senate.
According to the Assembly agenda, the session begins at 11 a.m. at Parliament House in Islamabad. Lawmakers Sharmila Faruqi, Ramesh Lal, and Khursheed Ahmed Junejo will move a call-attention notice on rising cybercrime and cybersecurity before Law Minister Tarar formally presents the 27th Amendment bill for approval.
