Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has announced that the government is preparing to table the 27th Constitutional Amendment in Parliament. Speaking on the floor of the Senate, he emphasized that it will be a government-sponsored bill and is not being parachuted from anywhere else. He affirmed that the government will present the amendment in the Parliament for discussion and passage in accordance with established procedures and in a transparent manner.

According to Radio Pakistan, Ishaq Dar further said he would request the government to introduce the proposed amendment in the Senate first. He added that consultations are ongoing with coalition partners, noting that three rounds of discussions have already been held with the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) regarding the draft bill. He assured that all other allies will also be taken on board.

The Deputy Prime Minister assured that ample time will be allocated for debate in Parliament and within the relevant standing committees of both the Senate and the National Assembly before the bill is put forward for passage. He said the Chairman of the Senate will be requested to invite the corresponding committee from the Lower House for a more detailed and conclusive debate on the bill.

Responding to a point raised by the opposition, Ishaq Dar said the Chairman of the Senate will also be requested to appoint the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House at the earliest.