PTI chairman files disqualification reference against Senator Saifullah Abro over 27th Amendment vote

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has submitted a reference to the Senate secretariat seeking the disqualification of Senator Saifullah Abro. The move comes after Senator Abro voted in favour of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, going against the party's official stance.

According to informed sources, the PTI chairman has requested the Senate chairman to forward the disqualification plea to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). The reference, submitted by Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, states: “In terms of Article 63A of the Constitution…in my capacity as the Chairman of Tehreek-i-Insaf, I hereby submit this declaration that Senator Saifullah Abro has defected from the party (PTI). The declaration is being submitted for onward reference to the Chief Election Commission for laying the same before the Election Commission in accordance with the said Article 63A.”

The reference further notes that Senator Abro is a member of the PTI parliamentary party in the Senate. It highlights that prior to the vote on the 27th Amendment, a meeting of the PTI parliamentary party was held, during which the party's position was explicitly decided and communicated to all members.

Senator Abro's decision to vote in favour of the amendment is being treated by the PTI leadership as a violation of party discipline, prompting the formal request for his disqualification under constitutional provisions relating to defection.

The matter now awaits further action from the Senate chairman, who has been asked to refer the case to the ECP for a decision in accordance with Article 63A of the Constitution.