All eyes were on the Senate session today as the long-awaited 27th constitutional amendment was expected to be tabled and spark major debate. To great disappointment, however, the draft did not appear on the floor of Parliament. Many senior members and key senators were absent and instead debated the amendment at their respective party meetings outside the Senate session.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had already finalized the first draft of the amendment, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif having consulted coalition partners ahead of the presentation.
Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted that the parties are still consulting on a few points regarding the draft. He clarified that the amendment would not be tabled today and that another federal cabinet meeting would be called for further discussion.
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Separately, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman called a meeting of his parliamentary group at his residence to discuss the prevailing political situation and the proposed 27th constitutional amendment. The meeting was attended by the party’s senators and MNAs with consultations on recent interactions with the government and opposition representatives.
With the amendment delayed, the discussion in the Senate turned to Sindh’s water projects and NESPAK’s performance. The session turned tense when PTI Senator Saifullah Abro and Senator Nasir Mahmood Butt engaged in a heated exchange, prompting the intervention of the Chairman, Senator Manzoor Ahmed.
Senator Abro raised serious concerns over NESPAK’s leadership and government’s handling of the Soan River Dam project, claiming the former CEO was “forcefully removed” and claiming there were attempts to “destroy the institution.” He suggested that the matter be referred to the relevant committee for further review.
Abro’s remarks came amid a mega project launched earlier to improve the water quality of the Soan river, aimed at providing 24-hour drinking water to over 250,000 residents of Rawat and Chauntra. The feasibility study examined the installation of tube wells with treatment plants or treatment of river water at centralized facilities, supported by a five million gallon water tank and new pipelines.
Senator Azam Swati emphasized the need to expand water reservoirs to prevent flooding and noted that the feasibility study for the Soan River Dam would be completed by 2026 and cover a ten-year period. Members also raised questions regarding the dam’s construction timeline.
The exchange further escalated when Abro raised further questions about Sindh’s river water schemes. In response, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said: “Nobody can remember all the facts and figures. We have to base our discussions on verified information.” He emphasized that accountability is the system’s “greatest strength” and urged lawmakers to avoid repeated arguments.
Deputy Prime Minister and Senator Ishaq Dar also arrived in the hall during the proceedings.
Energy crisis and IPPs under scrutiny
Senator Abdul Qadir raised concern over Pakistan’s economic and energy crisis, highlighting that 70% of the population lives below the poverty line. Criticizing Independent Power Producers (IPPs), he said they are exploiting the public and holding successive governments “hostage”, collecting Rs2,200 billion under capacity charges.
He urged the Prime Minister to intervene, noting that many low-income households are turning to solar, which IPPs are discouraging.
Describing power bills as a form of “terrorism” against the poor, he said, “If someone installs solar power under a self-help initiative, why is their effort discouraged? Ten to fifteen crore people are victims of IPPs’ exploitation. Why is no forensic audit of these companies being conducted?”
Other important discussions and developments
Marking a historic milestone, Senator Khalil Tahir Sindhu congratulated Zohraan Mamdani, who became the first Muslim elected mayor of New York with one million votes. He expressed hope that in cities like Lahore, Karachi or Faisalabad, a Christian candidate could also be elected as mayor.
The Senate separately approved a 100-day extension of the Frontier Corps (FC) Reorganization Ordinance, giving the government more time to implement structural and administrative reforms. The FC is a paramilitary force in Pakistan tasked with maintaining law and order, particularly in border and tribal areas, and assisting the army in counter-terrorism and internal security operations.
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Also, lawyer Aqeel Malik, who was responding to a question from Senator Shahadat Awan, said that the foremost priority of the government is the protection of children and future generations. He noted that the Child Protection Institute, established in 2021, maintains a detailed breakdown of data and that the government meets all transparency requirements. He welcomed suggestions from committee members and agreed that more effective child welfare measures were needed.
Senator Azam Swati also highlighted the importance of the Leader of the Opposition in the functioning of Parliament and urged the Law Minister to clarify the course of action. He recalled how opposition leaders, including Shehbaz Sharif as the Leader of the National Assembly Opposition, were jailed during previous elections despite their official roles.
PTI members created ruckus when Senator Emal Wali Khan was allowed to speak. During his speech, he remarked, “Do they have a problem with me or you? This is not a floor, it is a pile of dirt, and you have given me this pile of dirt.”
In the midst of all this, the Senate meeting has been adjourned until 11 tomorrow.
