ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Saturday tabled the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Senate shortly after its approval by the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif via video link from Azerbaijan.
The bill, presented by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, was referred to the National Assembly and Senate Standing Committees on Law and Justice for joint deliberations. During the meeting, two JUI-F members — Aliya Kamran and Senator Kamran Murtaza — boycotted the session, claiming the draft included proposals previously dropped from the 26th Amendment.
Following discussions, the committees adjourned the session till Sunday. Speaking to media after the meeting, Law Minister Tarar said, “All political parties have been invited to participate. Discussions will continue until a consensus is achieved.”
He said the amendment, under debate for more than a decade, aims to address judicial and constitutional reforms. “One major goal is to ensure faster justice and end the perception of a ‘court within a court’,” he added.
Key features of the bill include:
- Creation of a Federal Constitutional Court to hear constitutional matters.
- Reforms in judicial transfers and appointments, empowering the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.
- Increase in provincial cabinet limits from 11% to 13% of assembly membership.
- Changes to Article 243, introducing honorary titles like Field Marshal and Admiral of the Fleet.
- Abolition of the CJCSC office after November 2025.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said the amendment would strengthen federal–provincial relations and ensure national unity. The PPP supported forming constitutional courts but opposed any rollback of the 18th Amendment, while the PTI and JUI-F rejected the draft, terming it an attempt to limit provincial autonomy.
The committees will resume deliberations on Sunday, November 9.
