NA approves clause-by-clause 27th Constitutional Amendment

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Wednesday approved all 59 clauses of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, completing the clause-by-clause voting process. The bill had already been approved by the Senate two days earlier. It aims to bring major judicial and military reforms in Pakistan.

Key Figures Attend

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif attended the session. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar introduced the bill after a two-day debate, emphasizing that amending the Constitution is an evolving process and that all stakeholders were consulted. He also clarified that Justice Yahya Afridi will continue as Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Voting and Support

The amendment requires a two-thirds majority in the 336-member National Assembly. The ruling coalition appears to have enough votes, with support from PML-N, PPP, MQM-P, PML-Q, and others. In the initial vote, the bill secured 64 votes in the 96-member House, with no votes against, as the opposition boycotted.

Key Provisions of the Amendment

• Establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC)

• Chief of Army Staff to serve as Chief of Defence Forces

• Field Marshal, Marshal of Air Force, and Admiral of Fleet titles to remain for life

• Equal provincial representation in the FCC

• FCC empowered to take suo motu notice

• Supreme Court powers reduced, some shifted to the FCC

• Judicial appointments to involve president and prime minister

• Judges must serve 5 years in high court to be eligible for FCC

• Judicial transfers to be reviewed by Judicial Commission and Supreme Judicial Council

• Presidential immunity limited if president assumes public office after tenure

Judiciary and Political Reforms

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that the amendment will end suo motu powers of the judiciary, which were previously misused, and strengthen the judicial system through the new constitutional court. He also condemned terrorist attacks, urging unity against extremism, and confirmed plans to appoint the army chief as field marshal.

Opposition Response

PkMAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai criticized the government and tore a copy of the bill in the House, questioning its legitimacy. NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq reiterated his offer for dialogue with opposition parties to resolve issues.

Government Statements

Law Minister Tarar clarified that any changes can be discussed in the Senate and emphasized that only Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused the opposition of selective memory and double standards, criticizing PTI for opposing parliamentary procedures.

The 27th Constitutional Amendment represents a major step in judicial and military reforms and reflects the government’s push to strengthen democratic and institutional frameworks in Pakistan.

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