ISLAMABAD: The 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill was presented in the Senate at 2pm by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. The bill was subsequently referred to the National Assembly and Senate standing committees on law and justice for detailed review and consultation.
In this regard, the proposed amendment, which the government describes as a vital step toward judicial and institutional reform, seeks to establish a Federal Constitutional Court, alter the procedure for appointing and transferring high court judges, revise the limit for provincial cabinets, and redefine certain aspects of the military leadership structure.
Furthermore, at the outset of the Senate session, Minister Tarar requested the suspension of the regular agenda to brief lawmakers on the amendment’s provisions.
In this sense, the Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani directed that both committees on law and justice hold joint meetings to examine the proposal and submit their report to the House.
However, the session saw early dissent. The two members of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam–Fazl (JUI-F), MNA Aliya Kamran and Senator Kamran Murtaza, boycotted the committee meeting, arguing that the draft included clauses discarded in the earlier 26th Amendment. Opposition leader Senator Ali Zafar of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) also objected, saying the amendment should not be debated until the vacant opposition leader’s seat was filled.
Moreover, Law Minister Tarar mentioned that the amendment focuses on five key areas. He focused on the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court, a proposal originally outlined in the 2006 Charter of Democracy, to adjudicate constitutional matters.
He added that the bill also aims to empower the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) to handle judicial transfers, thereby limiting executive involvement.
Meanwhile, Tarar clarified that titles such as “Field Marshal” or “Admiral of the Fleet” would be honorary, not new appointments, and that these would be conferred by Parliament, not the prime minister.
The bill also proposes abolishing the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) after November 2025, merging its responsibilities under the Chief of Defence Forces.
The premier thanked coalition partners, including PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, for their support, focusing on whether the amendment aims to strengthen federal-provincial harmony.
