ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to include a clause granting lifetime immunity to the President of Pakistan in the draft of the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment.
As far as this clause is concerned, no case will be filed against the President during or after his term in office, nor will he be subject to arrest or punishment.
The inclusion comes after continuous consultations among coalition partners who have been reviewing and revising various proposals in the draft amendment.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) pushed for the inclusion of this specific clause, which has now been accepted and incorporated into the proposed legislation.
Furthermore, the amendment seeks changes to Article 248-B of the Constitution, expanding the legal protection afforded to the President. According to the new proposal, the President will enjoy complete immunity from all forms of legal proceedings for life.
This protection will remain in effect even after leaving office, ensuring that no criminal or civil case can be initiated against the individual who has held the presidency.
Moreover, the PPP raised the demand during recent discussions, focusing on the need for greater constitutional safeguards for the country’s highest office. The proposed clause was subsequently included in the draft after gaining support from key members of the coalition.
However, the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment is still under review, with coalition parties suggesting further adjustments before it is formally presented in Parliament.
So far, lawmakers are expected to debate its implications, as the proposed lifetime immunity clause has already created mixed reactions among political observers and legal experts.
Meanwhile, critics argue that granting permanent immunity could undermine the principle of accountability and equality before the law, and supporters maintain that it is essential for preserving the dignity and independence of the presidential office.
