Political tensions deepened in the aftermath of the 27th Constitutional Amendment as PTI Senator Saifullah Abro announced his resignation from the Senate, while JUI-F expelled Senator Ahmed Khan for voting against party policy and supporting the government.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Saifullah Abro declared his resignation shortly after voting in favour of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which was passed by the House with a two-thirds majority minutes ago.
“My wife was arrested during the 26th Amendment, and 10 members of my family were also detained,” Abro said emotionally. “No member of the PTI raised their voice for me during that time.”
In response, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani acknowledged Abro’s statement and said reassuringly, “We will make you a senator again.”
Later, the PTI expelled Senator Abro from the party for voting in violation of party policy. According to the official notification, Senator Saifullah Abro has been removed from party membership for breaching discipline.
The notification further states that Saifullah Abro has the right to appeal the decision within the next 72 hours.
JUI expels Ahmed Khan
Meanwhile, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI-F) announced the expulsion of Senator Ahmed Khan for violating party discipline by voting in favour of the government on the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
The decision was made on the recommendation of Senator Maulana Ataur Rehman, the JUI’s parliamentary leader, and Senator Maulana Abdul Wasi, the provincial chief of Balochistan.
Also Read: Senate approves 27th Amendment bill with two-thirds majority
In a formal statement, the central leadership of JUI-F said Senator Ahmed Khan had supported the government bill in violation of party policy, an act considered a serious breach of discipline.
The party has instructed Ahmed Khan to immediately resign from his Senate seat, warning that failure to do so would prompt the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan to approach the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for his disqualification.
The Senate on Monday approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill with a two-thirds majority. The bill secured 64 votes in favour and none against. The session witnessed heated protests from opposition members, who tore up copies of the agenda in protest.
Members opposed to the bill disrupted proceedings and voiced concerns over various clauses, including presidential immunity and judicial reforms.
Also Read: PTI, JUI senators vote against party policy in favour of 27th Amendment
“Our party constitution and the Senate’s rules were violated by Kamran Murtaza,” a party member said. Kamran Murtaza added, “Action will be taken once Maulana Fazlur Rehman returns from Bangladesh.”
He further stated, “Article 62 will be applied to those who vote against the party policy. Any member who violates the party constitution will lose their Senate membership.”
