ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to get the 27th Amendment approved by the cabinet tomorrow (Friday) despite the opposition by the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI).
According to sources, the 27th Constitutional Amendment will be presented in the federal cabinet meeting which is being held tomorrow at 9:45 am.
The cabinet meeting will be held in Committee Room No. 2 Parliament House, Islamabad.
The government has intensified contacts with allies to reach a consensus on the 27th amendment.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has cancelled foreign visits of federal ministers and members of parliament to ensure the approval of the amendment by the MQM-Pakistan, Q-League and the Stability Pakistan Party.
In addition, the 27th Constitutional Amendment will be presented in the Senate tomorrow, which the Senate will approve a joint committee of both houses for consideration.
Sources say that the joint parliamentary committee will be chaired by Farooq H. Naik, the committee will be given two days to consider the amendment, and the parliamentary committee meetings will also be held on Saturday and Sunday.
The parliamentary committee report will be presented in the Senate on Monday, after which the Senate will approve the constitutional amendment on Monday or Tuesday.
According to sources, the amendment will be presented in the National Assembly on the same day, and the National Assembly will approve the amendment by Wednesday or Thursday after discussion.
THE NUMBER GAME
64 votes are required to approve the amendment in the Senate, and the 61-member government coalition will need the support of 3 members from the JUI or ANP.
224 votes are required to approve the amendment in the National Assembly. Sources say that the government has the support of 237 members in the National Assembly, including 125 from the PML-N, 74 from the PPP, and 22 from the MQM.
In addition, 5 from the Pakistan Muslim League, 4 from the Stability Pakistan Party, one each from the Muslim League Zia, the National Party, the Balochistan Awami Party and 4 independent members are also part of the government coalition.
Read more: What is the 27th Amendment in the Constitution of Pakistan?
