The Senate on Monday passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill after adopting all 59 clauses of the legislation, with support from PTI and JUI-F senators.

Later speaking in the Upper House, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar noted that the Field Marshal rank has now been included in the Constitution.

The session, presided over by Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, saw 64 votes cast in favour of the amendment, with none against.

The opposition senators staged a noisy protest against the legislation and later walked out in protest

After voting, the Senate chairman announced that the bill had secured the required two-thirds majority and congratulated all members on the passage of the amendment.

Earlier, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the bill in the Senate.

On the occasion, opposition members staged a noisy protest, tearing copies of the bill and chanting slogans.

After staging a demonstration, opposition senators walked out of the chamber.

During the clause-by-clause voting process, JUI-F Senator Ahmed Khan and PTI Senator Saifullah Abro voted in favour of the amendment.

Two votes were recorded against the first clause, but in the second round of counting, all clauses received 64 votes in support.

The Senate doors were closed during the final voting to ensure proper proceedings.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said that a clause had been added to Article 243 to adjust the five-star rank.

The field marshal rank has been included in the constitution, and the five-star rank has become part of the constitution, he added.

Dar said that the separation of constitutional courts from other courts is also a significant development.

He noted that the establishment of constitutional courts had been part of the Charter of Democracy.

Dar added that the separation of the constitutional court would ensure better redress for litigants, while the seniority of the Chief Justice of Pakistan and other judges would remain intact.

He also highlighted that several countries around the world have constitutional courts.

Dar said that the constitutional amendment aims to improve the judicial system.

On the issue of renaming the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Dar recalled that under the 18th Amendment, the name of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been changed at the request of the ANP.

There have been demands that the province should be named only “Pakhtunkhwa”, he said, adding that additional consultations would take place on this matter.

He also noted that further consultations would be held regarding the amendment proposed by the MQM on the local government system.