Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) formally sent a reference to Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani, asking for action against Abro for voting against the party line during the Senate session.
PTI Senator Ali Zafar shared the declaration of defection on X, saying Abro violated party instructions by supporting the constitutional amendment. He confirmed that a reference for disqualification has been filed. The voting on the 27th Constitutional Amendment took place in the Senate on November 10, 2025. PTI had opposed the amendment, but Abro voted in its favor.
27ویں آئینی ترمیم کے حق میں ووٹ دے کر سیف اللہ ابڑو نے پارٹی پالیسی کی خلاف ورزی کی، جس پر اُنکی نااہلی کا ریفرنس فائل کر دیا ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/uT7ODx2ehZ
— Barrister Syed Ali Zafar (@SyedAliZafar1) January 1, 2026
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In the reference, the PTI parliamentary leader cited Article 63A of the Constitution and declared that Senator Saifullah Abro had defected from the party. The document was sent for onward reference to the Chief Election Commission. Ali Zafar said a PTI parliamentary party meeting was held before the vote. In that meeting, it was clearly decided and shared in writing that all PTI senators must oppose legislation related to the 27th Amendment. “The record confirms that this direction was properly conveyed to him [Abro] and that he was fully aware of it,” Zafar added.
Responding to the reference, Senator Abro rejected the allegations. Speaking to Geo News, he claimed that PTI did not oppose the 27th Amendment and criticized Ali Zafar, saying: “Ali Zafar is not capable of leading.” Abro said he never received any party letter or show cause notice. “Neither the party issued me any letter, nor have I received any show cause or letter,” had said.
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Taking a swipe at PTI, he added, “This party [PTI] has become a social media party. They post [everything] on the internet. I haven’t received anything.” The senator also claimed that PTI founder Imran Khan had nominated him for the Senate standing committee on interior, but party members, along with treasury benches, blocked his appointment.
