NFC award likely to be reviewed, Foreign Minister gains constitutional powers and judiciary eyes another round of reforms
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting of the federal cabinet. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The federal government has finalized an initial draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has consulted coalition partners on the proposal. Following its approval at today’s federal cabinet meeting, the amendment bill will be tabled in the Senate.
The initial draft will likely propose:
- The Center gets a bigger slice of the pie as its share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) awards increased by 10% from 42.5% to 52.5%.
- The provinces give autonomy over the education and health sectors to the Center
- Article 243 was amended to grant constitutional powers to the field marshal.
- The role of the president and prime minister in judicial appointments will be reduced and more power will be given to the Supreme Judicial Commission.
- A nine-member federal constitutional court will replace the existing constitutional court in the Supreme Court
- In case there is a deadlock in the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner, the matter will be referred to the Supreme Judicial Commission.
- The retirement age of judges of the Supreme Court and the Federal Constitutional Court increases by two years: from 68 to 70
Read: Judiciary in focus as government prepares constitutional bill
Cabinet reviews first draft
The Federal Cabinet will meet this morning in Parliament to discuss the initial draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment presented by Justice Minister Azam Tarar. The proposed bill will then be presented to the Senate.
According to Article 239 of the Constitution of Pakistan, a rigorous constitutional process must be followed for the approval of any amendment. From the Senate, the bill will be referred to the relevant standing committee, which will then pass it on to the joint standing committee of Parliament for final approval.
Read more: 27th Amendment: What we know so far
Yesterday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met delegations from all coalition partners including Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP). He also met representatives of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Awami National Party (ANP) and Ishtehkam-e-Pakistan.
