Pakistan's 26th Constitutional Amendment Sparks Political Tension

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advised President Asif Ali Zardari to sign the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, drawing criticism from opposition party PTI. Passed with a two-thirds majority in the Senate, the bill faces protests alleging it limits judicial powers. It includes 27 clauses and awaits approval in the National Assembly.

In a significant political development, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged President Asif Ali Zardari to give his assent to the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill, reported ARY News. This request comes after the Prime Minister endorsed the bill, which successfully cleared both houses of Parliament.

The Senate passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill on Sunday, with a commanding two-thirds majority, has ignited opposition, prominently from Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The PTI has accused the bill of threatening the judiciary's autonomy, as opposition members organized protests. Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar introduced the bill, securing 65 supportive votes, against four opposing votes.

Encompassing 27 clauses, the bill proposes multiple constitutional amendments. Critics were initially found among the Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), but their suggested changes have been adopted. Now, the bill is expected to come before the Pakistan National Assembly. Meanwhile, the PTI's political committee has resolved to boycott the voting process across legislative assemblies, arguing the current administration lacks legitimacy for constitutional amendments.

(With inputs from agencies.)