PML-N-led coalition pushes through landmark 27th Amendment in Senate amid opposition protest
- Bill introduces Constitutional Court, redefines military command and judicial powers
In a dramatic Senate session marred by opposition protests and boycotts, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-led coalition government on Monday secured the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill with the required two-thirds majority — a move set to reshape Pakistan’s judicial and military command structure.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the 59-clause amendment, which passed with 64 votes in favor and none against in the 96-member upper house. The opposition boycotted the vote. The bill now heads to the National Assembly for final approval.
Among those supporting the bill were senators from the Awami National Party (ANP), JUI-F’s Ahmed Khan, and PTI-backed Saifullah Abro, who later surprised the House by announcing his resignation as senator after the vote.
- Chief of Army Staff to become Chief of Defence Forces
- Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) to be established
- Equal provincial representation on FCC benches
- Supreme Court powers curtailed, some shifted to FCC
- President’s immunity limited if he holds public office post-tenure
- Judges to serve five years in high courts before FCC eligibility
- Judicial Commission to decide high court judge transfers
- Supreme Judicial Council to review transfer objections
- Field Marshal, Marshal of Air Force, Admiral of Fleet titles to remain for life
- Islamabad High Court to have one judge on FCC bench
Dar hails ‘historic reform’
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar congratulated senators on passing what he called a “historic bill,” recalling that the establishment of a constitutional court was envisioned in the Charter of Democracy signed by Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto.
Dar also said the amendment clarifies Article 243, elevating the Army Chief’s role to Chief of Defence Forces. “The nation has declared Army Chief Asim Munir a hero after the war with India,” he claimed, while assuring that the seniority of judges would remain unaffected.
He emphasized that the 27th Constitutional Amendment aim to strengthen the judicial system and “improve constitutional balance.”
Purpose behind the amendment
Law Minister Tarar said the amendment followed proposals from political parties and bar councils seeking the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court to handle constitutional petitions that currently burden the Supreme Court.
“The FCC will specialize in constitutional matters, while the Supreme Court can focus on appellate jurisdiction and reduce backlog,” he explained.
He added that amendments to Article 243 were made to “improve procedural clarity and the administrative structure” of the armed forces.
PPP report and committee changes
PPP Senator Farooq H. Naek presented the joint parliamentary committee’s report on the 27th Amendment, noting that the committee had made several tweaks to the draft.
Naek clarified that the FCC will include judges from all provinces, and the eligibility period for high court judges to join the new court was reduced from seven to five years.
He also explained that suo motu powers will only be exercised by the FCC upon receiving a petition, rather than at its own discretion.
Opposition vows to block ‘unconstitutional’ move
Opposition parties, led by PTI Senator Ali Zafar, condemned the bill as unconstitutional, declaring it an attempt to “weaken the foundations of the Constitution.”
“We reject any clause that grants immunity to officeholders. No one should be above the law,” Zafar told reporters, warning that the opposition would continue its protests.
The Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), chaired by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, called the amendment “unconstitutional, undemocratic, and lacking national consensus,” pledging to challenge it through legal and democratic means.
MQM-P seeks real impact
MQM-P Senator Faisal Subzwari said the amendment should produce “tangible results,” stressing that it should lead to better access to justice and governance.
“If we’re changing the Supreme Court’s role, it must bring visible improvements for ordinary citizens,” he said, urging implementation that strengthens institutions rather than titles.
The road ahead
With Senate approval secured, the 27th Constitutional Amendment now moves to the National Assembly, where the government is confident of another smooth passage — despite mounting political resistance and constitutional challenges from the opposition.
If ratified, the amendment would mark one of the most sweeping constitutional overhauls in Pakistan’s recent history, redefining the balance of power between the judiciary, the presidency, and the military.
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