Minister of Justice says all parties consulted; The opposition protests the lack of transparency; Cabinet approves bill
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. PHOTO: EXPRESS/ARCHIVE
ISLAMABAD:
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Thursday introduced the 27th (Constitutional) Amendment Bill in the Senate, triggering a heated debate between the treasury benches and the opposition soon after its introduction.
Presenting the bill, the minister said that the bill was prepared after consultation with all political parties. He said discussions on the 27th amendment had been ongoing for several days and the federal cabinet had given formal approval earlier in the day.
He clarified that the proposed legislation included provisions to empower the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) with authority to transfer judges between high courts and expand the size of provincial cabinets.
The minister also announced that the position of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee would be abolished as of November 27. “From now on, the Chief of the Army Staff will also act as the Chief of the Defense Forces,” he added.
Tarar also informed the house that the prime minister, in consultation with the army chief, would appoint the Chief of the National Command.
“The nation has conferred the honorary rank of Field Marshal on the head of the army, and henceforth the titles of Field Marshal, Fleet Marshal and Air Force Marshal will be life honors.”
However, the minister clarified that the power to withdraw such titles would rest with a joint session of parliament. After the presentation of the bill, question time was suspended by a motion presented by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and approved by the House.
The bill was then sent to the Permanent Commission on Law and Justice of the Senate, where members of the corresponding commission of the National Assembly would also be invited to participate. The joint session will be co-chaired by the heads of both committees.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, addressing the Senate, said the standing committee would hold a detailed debate on the proposed amendment.
He stressed that the appointment of the opposition leader was the constitutional prerogative of the Senate president, adding that “the matter is now in your court, Mr. President; you have the right to decide.”
Opposition senators, however, protested strongly, arguing that the bill had been introduced without sharing its details with them. Senator Raja Nasir Abbas objected that the opposition had not been shown the draft beforehand.
PTI senator Ali Zafar also expressed concern: “We have not even read the text of the 27th amendment yet. The opposition should not be left aside.”
Senator Raja Nasir Abbas further criticized the proposal to abolish the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, arguing: “This position exists around the world, but in Pakistan it is being eliminated to make the army chief even more powerful. Such legislation will make the Constitution controversial. We should not create pharaohs through amendments.”
During the debate, Senator Aimal Wali Khan accused some lawmakers of using the legislation for personal gain. “Some people are writing laws to free the thieves,” he said. “It’s not a question of time but of intention; some have questionable motives.”
He noted that the PTI had supported amendment 26 during the committee discussions but later opposed it. He promised that no law would be allowed that weakens democracy or strips provinces of their powers.
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said the debate on constitutional amendments was the essence of democracy. “The PPP paid the price for boycotting the 1985 elections. The opposition should also play its rightful role in constitutional matters,” he said.
Rehman referred to the Charter of Democracy and recalled that the creation of a Constitutional Court was among his commitments.
He also stressed that state institutions should not be privatized at disposable prices; instead, collective strategies should be adopted to strengthen the federation.
PTI Senator Faisal Javed launched a strong attack on the government, saying that a “government with false mandate” had no right to amend the Constitution.
“The will of the people was rejected in the 2024 elections. How can this government, formed through a stolen mandate, change the Constitution?” asked.
He said the country cannot progress until power and sovereignty rest with the people.
Referring to PTI founder Imran Khan, he said the leader who actually won the mandate is behind bars while the ruling parties themselves admit that they did not win the elections.
After extensive debate, the 27th Amendment Bill was referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice for detailed deliberation.
Earlier, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary on Saturday said that the federal cabinet approved the draft of the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment.
