Senate Committee Reviews Constitutional Amendments

The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice has forwarded the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to the prime minister for consideration. This bill proposes modifying Article 153 to guarantee female representation in the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

A separate amendment bill, presented by Senator Zeeshan Khanzada, suggesting revisions to Article 228 to promote women’s involvement in the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), was postponed. The committee has opted to await official feedback from the CII.

Under the guidance of Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, the committee conducted in-depth discussions on crucial constitutional and legal adjustments intended to reinforce justice, equality, and women’s entitlements in Pakistan.

Discussions on Gender Inclusion

Senator Farooq H. Naek, the Chairman, voiced strong support for gender inclusivity. He remarked, “The Council of Islamic Ideology should leverage the wisdom and insights of female theologians. To ensure balance, at a minimum, three out of the twenty members should be women.”

The Law Ministry clarified that the existing membership standards do not specifically address gender. However, they recognized that mandated representation could be enforced through legislation.

The committee suggested referring the matter of Article 153 to the prime minister and also sought formal input from the CII regarding the suggested amendment to Article 228. Furthermore, they addressed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (Amendment of Article 27), put forth by Senator Mohammad Abdul Qadir, which aims to increase the CSS quota for students from Balochistan.

Senator Farooq H. Naek, in his capacity as Chairman, recommended withdrawing the bill, citing a Supreme Court ruling and a provision offered by the Ministry pertaining to modifications in civil service regulations. He proposed that such changes should be implemented through an Act of Parliament rather than a constitutional amendment, deeming it a quicker and more pragmatic approach. Senator Abdul Qadir expressed gratitude for the advice but requested time to examine the court’s decision before deciding on withdrawal. The issue was then deferred to the subsequent meeting.

Pakistan Penal Code Amendment

Extensive debates also transpired regarding the Pakistan Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri. This bill suggests alterations to Sections 323, 330, and 331, with the objective of ensuring justice for victims of unintentional deaths and their legal beneficiaries.

Committee members commended Senator Zehri’s intention and emphasized that all laws must align with the teachings of the Holy Quran. They underscored the significance of guaranteeing fairness for both the convicted individual and the deceased’s family, especially in instances of unintentional fatalities involving families with limited economic resources.

The Law Ministry notified the committee that the perspectives of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on the subject are still pending.

Additionally, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2024, presented by Senator Aon Abbas, was also postponed.