ISLAMABAD:
The PML-N-led federal government on Tuesday formally introduced the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the National Assembly amid strong protests by opposition members. The vote on the bill is scheduled for today (Wednesday).
The session, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, began with prayers for PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui, who died on Monday. Later, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar moved the motion to introduce the bill. As he began his speech, the PTI legislators entered the house and started shouting slogans against the proposed legislation.
Tarar said appointment of judges through larger forums is an international practice and extensive consultations had been carried out before tabling the amendment. He noted that the Senate had already approved the amendment with a two-thirds majority.
He claimed that Article 184 of the Constitution had “emerged as a monster” due to abuse of suo motu powers, and that the Charter of Democracy had originally included the creation of a constitutional court.
He said two major political parties had agreed to the amendments in the spirit of the Charter of Democracy, and that the new constitutional court would now have the same powers as the existing constitutional courts of the Supreme Court.
The amendment, he added, also establishes a procedure for transfer of High Court judges. Tarar said the purpose of the amendment was to ensure that the Supreme Court has more time to hear cases of public interest.
He said the Chief Justice of Pakistan will continue to chair the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) and other constitutional forums until further changes are made.
The law minister also revealed that the amendment constitutionally protects Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s rank, awarded in recognition of his professional excellence, and that any decision to withdraw the title could only be taken through a joint session of parliament.
He added that the President of Pakistan would enjoy lifetime immunity under Article 248, although such immunity would not apply to holding public office after retirement.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan strongly opposed the amendment, saying that “constitutional changes should strengthen democracy, not bury it.” He said the amendment would weaken the judiciary rather than empower it, adding: “Today is a day of mourning for democracy.”
Calling it the “Baku Amendment,” he claimed it was passed under pressure from outside and accused the government of using amendments to give itself immunity from liability.
Gohar warned against dragging the military into political disputes, saying: “Don’t politicize the military or put it in the hot seat; it has protected this country since 1947.”
He stressed that the PTI remained loyal to Pakistan and respected the armed forces, but rejected what he called “dishonest manipulation” of the Constitution.
MQM leader Syed Mustafa Kamal said his party’s suggestions regarding local governments were not included in the 27th Amendment but would be part of the upcoming 28th Amendment Bill.
He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet for agreeing in principle to empower local bodies, highlighting that “without empowered local governments, democracy cannot function effectively.”
PML-N leader Khawaja Asif also emphasized on devolution of power and said democracy cannot flourish until authority is transferred to the grassroots level.
He said both military and civilian governments have historically centralized power, ignoring the spirit of the 18th Amendment, which promised true local empowerment.
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani defended the 27th Amendment and said its main objectives were to strengthen governance, defense and institutional functionality.
He referred to Tuesday’s attack near Islamabad’s G-11 district courts, which killed four people, and said it underlined that Pakistan remains “a nation at war” against terrorism and extremism. Kayani said the armed forces, police and security agencies are laying down their lives for national security.
He noted that 15 per cent of the Supreme Court’s cases are constitutional in nature but consume 50 per cent of its time, justifying the establishment of a separate constitutional court. He criticized the opposition for skipping parliamentary committees and “opting instead for television studios.”
The minister added that under the 18th Amendment, powers should have been transferred to lower levels of government and in future, the NFC Award should be linked with provincial financial awards to ensure fair distribution of resources.
The National Assembly session was adjourned until 11am today, when voting on the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill is expected to take place.
