Government formally requests votes from Upper House members to ensure constitutional success

A formal dinner was hosted at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad for the senators of the government’s coalition parties, with the primary objective of solidifying support for the crucial 27th Constitutional Amendment ahead of its vote in the Senate. The event was attended by key senators from the ruling alliance and several federal ministers.

Coalition Presence and Legislative Strategy

The dinner saw the participation of senators from major coalition partners, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), and Awami National Party (ANP). Notable attendees included ANP’s Senator Haji Hidayatullah and Senator Arbab Umar Farooq.

Sources confirmed that during the reception, the Prime Minister formally requested all attendees to cast their votes in favour of the 27th Constitutional Amendment to ensure the legislative measure’s successful passage through the Upper House. This move underscores the government’s intent to secure every possible vote for the constitutional change.

The appeal follows the prior approval of the entire draft of the proposed constitutional amendment by the Joint Standing Committee on Law and Justice of the Senate and National Assembly.

Effort to Cement Relations

Following the dinner, the coalition senators departed from the Prime Minister’s House. However, the engagement strategy continues; parliamentary sources indicate that the Prime Minister has also invited the allied members to a breakfast meeting at Parliament House the following morning. This gesture is viewed as a governmental effort to further cement ties and maintain cohesion among the coalition partners right before the pivotal vote in the Senate.