In a development that was missed by most political pundits and observers of the Pakistani political landscape alike, after the passage of the Elections Bill 2017 today, it has come to light that an important piece of the Pakistani constitution has been removed as well.

After 43 Years!

Khatam e Nabuwat is Removed from the Oath of Electoral Representatives by PML-N in Election Reforms Bill 2017#HeightOfShame — M REHAN TAHIR (@mrehantahir) October 2, 2017

In the above tweet, Khatam-e-Nabuwat refers to the part of the oath that public representatives (such as the Prime Minister) are supposed to take that invoke the finality of the Holy Prophet as the last Messenger of God. It is a tenet of Islamic faith that is also enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan. Until now that is.

Reportedly, the recent Elections Bill 2017 was formulated by the ruling party PML-N in order to give ex-PM Nawaz Sharif a chance to be re-elected as the party’s Chairman again, after his disqualification a few months back by the Supreme Court over corruption charges.

After the passage of the Bill in parliament and Senate, the way has been cleared for ex-PM Nawaz to once again call the shots as party Chairman. And now after the full text of the Election Bill 2017 has become publicly available, many Pakistanis over social media are infuriated and angered over the exclusion of the Khatam-e-Nabuwat part from the nomination papers of politicians.

Thousands of people are tweeting against the amendment and it has already become one of the top trends on Twitter and Facebook.

Here are some of the reactions from Pakistani social media users over the bill:

KHATAM E NABUWAT ACT IS REMOVED FROM THE CONSTITUTION OF PAKISTAN #darkestdayinhistory — Syed Arsalan Ali (@syedarsalan21) October 2, 2017

This is the worst thing ever happened in an Islamic state, govt removed Khatam-e-Nabuwat SAWW clause from the oath. — Zaara Sana (@ZaaraSana) October 2, 2017

@pmln_org r going to change evrything just to protect themselves. #khatamenabuwat — Sarmad Imran 🇵🇰 (@Em_Sarmad) October 3, 2017

That's against the shariah definition of Muslim,1973 Constitution & of course against our sentiments#khatamenabuwat #amendment — Noor-ul-Elmah Hasan ✍📚 (@Noorulelmah98) October 3, 2017

Jinnah has been betrayed so am I #khatamenabuwat — Umar (@UBK86) October 3, 2017

I think even more important than re-election of criminals, is removal of 'Khatam-e-Nabuwat' clause from Nomination papers 2 stand elections! — Urslan Hayat ارسلان حیات (@UrslanH) October 3, 2017

#Lant Pmln pe.. What the hell they did? Quaid made this country on baises of islam. And they changing it or their own will. #khatamenabuwat pic.twitter.com/ua9qSnKfBO — Sarmad Imran 🇵🇰 (@Em_Sarmad) October 3, 2017

https://twitter.com/sharjeelanwar10/status/915084887824232449

https://twitter.com/ImaanAfridi/status/915165985174417408

MARHAB in action now, as a FIRST STEP, CLAUSE OF KHATAM-E-NABUWAT IS OMITTED FROM THE CONSTITUTION, Pakistanio keep on sleeping. — SheenMeemKhan (@sherkhan07) October 3, 2017

Public now wants to come out on the roads following the amendment.

https://twitter.com/traders92/status/915121180264337408

#khatamenabuwat clause shall not be removed. Nationwide campaign against non-Islamic act should rise up! https://t.co/i7HbnONkLK — Fanx Raza (@faz_kn) October 2, 2017

People are just too angry…

@meherbokhari

Khatam e nabuwat ka qanoon ko nikalna Islam k munafi ha. — Saba Maryam (@SabaMaryam9) October 2, 2017

@ImranKhanPTI "Khatm E Nabuwat" ki shik khatam ye karen aur yahoodi agent Imran Khan.Munafiqat ki inteha se b agay bht agay PML(Chor Group) — Liaqat Ali (@LARehmani) October 2, 2017