In a dramatic turn during a heated Senate session in Islamabad, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Saifullah Abro tendered his resignation on Monday, mere moments after casting a solitary vote in favor of the government’s sweeping 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill. The 59-clause legislation, which overhauls judicial, military, and federal structures, passed the Upper House with 64 votes amid fierce opposition protests, marking a pivotal shift in Pakistan’s power dynamics.
Abro, a technocrat from Sindh elected in 2021, stood apart from his PTI colleagues who tore up bill copies and staged a walkout, decrying the amendment as a “9/11 on Pakistan’s democracy.” In a passionate floor speech, the Larkana native justified his stance by lauding Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir—recently elevated to Field Marshal—for his leadership. “I voted solely for Field Marshal Asim Munir and the Pakistan Army,” Abro declared, crediting the forces with a “humiliating defeat” on India in May 2025 and international acclaim from figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump. He cited personal hardships, including his wife’s arrest during prior political turmoil, as influencing his “principled” decision, while acknowledging potential disqualification for breaching PTI policy.
Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, presiding over the chaotic proceedings, accepted the resignation with a light-hearted remark: “We will make you a senator again,” drawing brief levity amid the uproar. Abro’s vote, alongside those from JUI-F’s Ahmed Khan and BNP-Mengal’s Naseema Ehsan, helped the ruling coalition secure the required two-thirds majority, bypassing a broader opposition boycott.
The amendment, tabled by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar following cabinet approval, introduces transformative reforms. Key provisions include establishing a Federal Constitutional Court to handle constitutional matters and ease the Supreme Court’s backlog, limiting suo motu powers to applications only, and enabling inter-high court judge transfers via the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. It also revises Article 243 to formally recognize the Field Marshal rank—currently held by Munir—and streamlines military command appointments, while adjusting the National Finance Commission (NFC) to potentially reduce provincial shares and centralize control over education and population welfare. Critics, including PTI and legal experts, warn it erodes judicial independence and tilts power toward the military, risking “complete demolition” of constitutional checks.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari hailed the passage as “completing” the Constitution, emphasizing equal provincial representation in the new court. The bill now heads to the National Assembly for final ratification. Social media erupted with reactions, from PTI supporters decrying betrayal to military backers praising Abro’s “patriotism.” As Pakistan navigates this era of flux—post the 26th Amendment’s judicial tweaks in 2024—the 27th signals deepening civil-military entwinement, with Abro’s exit underscoring the personal toll of political loyalty.
