Law minister tables 27th Constitutional Amendment bill in Senate after cabinet's nod

• Cabinet approves key reforms under 27th Amendment: Tarar
• Says consensus reached on establishment of new constitutional court.
• Amendments on military command to be presented in parliament.
  

ISLAMABAD: In a significant push for tweaks to the country’s key law, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Saturday presented the 27th Constitutional Amendment bill in the upper house of parliament, which was immediately referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice by Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani.

Talking to the media in Islamabad shortly after the cabinet meeting on Saturday, Tarar said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired federal cabinet meeting from Baku to discuss key reforms under the proposed 27th Amendment.

The cabinet's approval of the 27th Amendment draft comes a day after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) supported amending Article 243 and forming a constitutional court while ensuring democratic and civilian safeguards remained intact.

"After our Central Executive Committee meeting, we agreed on three points: amending Article 243, establishing a constitutional court, and managing judges’ transfers through proper consultation," Bilawal said during a media briefing in Karachi on Friday.

In the media briefing, Tarar said: “Prime minister consulted with allies to ensure broad support for the legislation,” he said, adding that a consensus was reached on the establishment of the new federal constitutional court.

The law minister further said the transfer of judges will be entrusted to the Judicial Commission, in line with the proposed reforms.

“There have been many objections to judges’ transfers. Transfers will be entrusted to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. If a judge wishes to move from one high court to another, both chief justices of the concerned courts will be part of the committee.”

He further added: "The position of Field Marshal was not included in the Constitution in this way. It is both a rank and a ceremonial honour. Amendments regarding command will also be presented in Parliament.”

Talking about Article 243, Tarar said: “Recent Pakistan-India tensions have taught us many lessons. The nature and strategy of war have completely changed. Appointment procedures and some positions were previously in the Army Act but were not mentioned in the 1973 Constitution. Parallel ranks exist worldwide for Air Chief and Naval Chief.”

The law minister said the cabinet also discussed proposals from political parties, including the Balochistan Awami Party’s request for additional provincial seats and the MQM-P's local government bill.

PM thanks allies

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed cabinet members and thanked coalition partners for their support on the 27th Amendment draft.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said the amendment reflects collective efforts to strengthen the federation’s relations with provinces and serve the broader national interest.

He praised the Ministry of Law and Justice, the Attorney General, and their teams for their work on the draft.

The premier said that he consulted former PM Nawaz Sharif and expressed gratitude for his guidance. Shehbaz said that he also consulted President Asif Ali Zardari and appreciated his support for the amendment.

The prime minister thanked all coalition party leaders, including Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Abdul Aleem Khan, Khalid Hussain Magsi, and Chaudhry Salik Hussain, for their personal engagement and full support of the draft.

He further said consultations were held with other political leaders, including Amil Wali Khan and Ijazul Haq.

The premier added that the country’s political and economic stability has set it on the right path and urged all stakeholders to work together for national development and prosperity.

Proposed 27th Amendment draft 

As per the proposed draft, available with Geo News, the position of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee would be abolished, and a new title, “Chief of Defence Forces,” would be introduced for the head of the armed forces.

The draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment also outlines significant changes in the judicial system.

The president and prime minister will play a key role in judicial appointments, while Parliament will have the authority to determine the number of judges in the Constitutional Court, the draft added.

The amendment proposes a reduction in the powers of the Supreme Court, transferring certain constitutional authorities to the Federal Constitutional Court. All provinces will have equal representation in the new court, and the Chief Justice’s term is proposed for three years.

In addition to judicial reforms, the amendment introduces major restructuring in the military hierarchy. Besides the creation of the Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal, and other senior officers will be granted lifetime status for their ranks, according to the draft.