Party seeks action under Article 63-A, says senator violated policy by endorsing constitutional bill
The National Assembly on Wednesday approved the 27th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has submitted a defection plea against Senator Saifullah Abro to the Senate President, seeking action under Article 63-A of the Constitution for allegedly voting in favor of the 27th Constitutional Amendment in violation of party policy.
The statement, filed by PTI’s Parliamentary Party leader in the Senate Syed Ali Zafar, claims that Abro voted in favor of the amendment during two Senate sessions in November 2025, contrary to what the party describes as its instructions formally communicated to lawmakers.
According to the statement, a show-cause notice was issued to the senator and no response was received within the stipulated time. The party has declared that Abro violates party discipline and has defected from the PTI under Article 63-A. The statement has been sent to the Senate President for transmission to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Read: Motion of censure: the defection clause in the spotlight
Article 63-A of the Constitution of Pakistan states that a member of Parliament can be declared to have defected if he or she votes against the party’s declared policy on issues including constitutional amendments, money bills, votes of confidence or no confidence, and the election of the prime minister or prime minister.
Under the constitutional procedure, a statement issued by the party chief is sent to the Speaker of the House concerned and then forwarded to the Election Commission of Pakistan, which determines whether the member ceases to hold office in accordance with the Constitution.
Read more: The 27th Amendment
The 27th Constitutional Amendment has been the subject of extensive parliamentary debate, particularly in relation to issues of constitutional restructuring and institutional jurisdiction. Political parties took strong internal positions on the amendment during the vote, with the PTI directing its lawmakers to oppose the bill, a position reflected in the statement filed against Abro.
Following submission of the statement to the Senate President, the matter is required to be placed before the Election Commission of Pakistan for decision under Article 63-A as requested in the party’s statement.
PTI has stated in the document that the procedure was carried out in accordance with constitutional requirements.
