27th Constitutional Amendment bill tabled in Senate

Islamabad: During a Senate session chaired by Yousuf Raza Gillani, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar announced that the Federal Cabinet has approved and sent the draft 27th Constitutional Amendment to the Senate for review.

Addressing the House, the Law Minister said that consultations with coalition partners, political parties, civil society, and bar councils had been completed. “The draft will be presented in the Senate and referred to the relevant committee,” he stated, adding that a joint standing committee of the National Assembly and the Senate would review the amendment.

Tarar emphasized that all parties, including those not represented in the committee, will be invited to provide input. “These are only proposals; they will be approved if passed by a two-thirds majority,” he clarified.

Key Provisions of the Proposed Amendment:

The Law Minister said the 27th Amendment aims to introduce national interest and defense reforms, along with clarity on Senate elections, judicial transfers, and cabinet composition.

He announced the proposal to establish a Federal Constitutional Court, with broad consensus among political forces. The process for transferring High Court judges will now include both the outgoing and receiving Chief Justices, and if the transfer exceeds two years, the judge’s consent will be required.

Regarding defense appointments, the minister said the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and other defense officials would be appointed on the Prime Minister’s advice, under Clause 6 of the new provisions. The COAS will also serve as Chief of Defence Forces, while the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will take on an administrative role.

He added that honors and military titles, such as Field Marshal, would be protected by the Constitution. “No individual or Prime Minister will have the authority to revoke such honors  only Parliament can make such decisions in a joint session,” Tarar said.

Other proposals include increasing Balochistan’s share in the federal cabinet from 11% to 13%, and raising the number of Prime Minister’s advisors from five to seven.

The minister reiterated that the suo motu powers of the Chief Justice have been abolished, stating, “No Chief Justice should again have the authority to send a Prime Minister home.”

Political Consensus and Party Proposals:

Tarar informed the Senate that coalition partners MQM and BAP had submitted separate constitutional amendment bills, while the PPP’s Central Executive Committee had approved the draft. Proposals from the ANP and other coalition partners will also be taken up by the committee.

“The Prime Minister has directed that consensus be built in committee discussions,” he said, urging the opposition to join the debate in standing committees.

Senator Sherry Rehman Calls for Careful Deliberation:

Speaking on the floor, Senator Sherry Rehman termed the day “a day of consensus” and called for careful examination of the proposed changes.

“The PPP has never allowed any restrictions on the 1973 Constitution and has made sacrifices to protect it,” she said. “Making constitutional amendments is the right of Parliament, and it is our responsibility to be the guarantors of everyone’s rights.”

Sherry stressed that the 27th Amendment is not a reversal of the 18th Amendment, but rather its protection. “The real issue is the distribution of Pakistan’s resources. We consider public representation to be of utmost importance,” she added.

She urged all parties to engage constructively in the debate, saying, “We have asked the government to hold an extensive debate in the House.”

On the other side, a joint meeting of the National Assembly and Senate Standing Committees on Law and Justice has been convened today to deliberate on the approval of the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

The session will be co-chaired by Mahmood Bashir Virk, Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Law and Justice, and Senator Farooq H. Naek, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice.

The joint sitting aims to review and finalize recommendations related to the proposed amendment before its presentation to Parliament. Lawmakers from both Houses are expected to engage in detailed discussions on the draft and its implications for constitutional and legal reforms in the country.

Officials said the meeting reflects a step toward legislative consensus on key reforms under consideration by the Parliament.