The government of Pakistan got success in getting the Constitution Amendment Bill passed. The government had to work hard for about a month to gather support. The controversial 26th Constitution Amendment Bill was passed in the National Assembly early this morning after a debate of about five hours. According to the media reports, 225 members supported the bill during the voting in the 336-member National Assembly.
The government needed 224 votes to pass the amendment and the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill is also known as the Constitutional Package. It has now become a law after approval from both the houses of Parliament. This bill was initially approved by the Senate with a two-thirds majority. It was presented by Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar in the National Assembly late on Sunday at 11:36 pm.
It was debated for about five hours at night. It was passed at five in the morning. However, 12 members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Sunni-Ittehad Council (SIC) opposed it. Five senators of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl and two MPs of Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) also voted in favour of the bill. The bill proposes to form a 12-member commission for the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and also has a provision to limit the appointment of the Chief Justice of the country to three years.
According to the media reports, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment is an excellent manifestation of national unity and consensus. After the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment in the National Assembly today, he expressed confidence that this law will ensure easy and quick justice for the common man. He called it a major milestone. The Prime Minister thanked the coalition partners and JUI (F) for supporting the constitutional amendment. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has sent advice to President Asif Ali Zardari for consent to the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
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