ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Wednesday approved the 24th Constitutional Amendment Bill for the creation of Bahawalpur Janoobi Punjab province (BJP) after 70 votes were cast in its favour, DawnNews reported.

Minister for Law and Justice Farooq H. Naek had moved the bill in Senate. Despite a strong protest by the opposition, particularly PML-N and a walkout, no votes opposing the amendment were cast.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement, despite being a part of the opposition, did not participate in the protest or walkout.

The bill will amend seven articles of the constitution to pave the way for the creation of a new province and proposes that the new province shall comprise territories of Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Mianwali and Bhakkar districts.

The bill would be presented in the National Assembly.

APP adds:

The Senate also passed the Defence Housing Authority Islamabad Bill, 2013 with the object of carrying out schemes and projects of land development for the welfare of the bereaved families of martyrs, war injured, disabled and other persons of the defence forces.

The said bill was also moved by Minister for Law and Justice Farooq H. Naek and was unanimously passed by the Senate. The National Assembly has already passed the bill.