While the ruling alliance has already secured more than a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, the Senate numbers game presents a new challenge.

The government will need the support of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) to ensure the amendment’s passage through the upper house.

According to official documents obtained by Aaj News, the National Assembly has a total of 336 members, out of which the ruling coalition commands the backing of 237 lawmakers, comfortably exceeding the 224 votes required for a two-thirds majority.

The ruling alliance comprises 125 members from the PML-N, 74 from the PPP, 22 from MQM-P, five from the PML-Q, four from the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, and one each from the PML-Zia, National Party, and BAP, along with the support of four independent members.

On the opposition benches, 75 independents, one member each from the Sunni Ittehad Council, BNP, MWM, and PKMAP, and 10 members from JUI-F make up the 89-member bloc.

In the Senate, however, the equation is tighter. The upper house has 96 members, with the government alliance controlling 60 seats and the opposition holding 33.

The seven JUI-F senators have therefore become crucial for the government to achieve the required two-thirds majority for the amendment’s approval.

Political observers say the JUI-F’s leverage has once again placed Maulana Fazlur Rehman in a position of influence, making his party’s stance decisive for the fate of the 27th constitutional amendment.