The draft proposes a Constitutional Court, a lifetime position of field marshal and a higher age limit for judges
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses the national assembly in Islamabad. Photo: NAofPakistan/Twitter
The federal government has finalized an initial draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has consulted coalition partners on the proposal. Following its approval at tomorrow’s federal cabinet meeting, the amendment bill will be tabled in the Senate.
Details of the proposed draft have been obtained by Express News. As per the initial draft of the amendment, sources said a nine-member constitutional bench will replace the existing constitutional bench in the Supreme Court under the proposed changes. In addition, a proposal suggests increasing the retirement age of judges of both the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court from 68 to 70 years.
Sources further said that an amendment to Article 243 will provide constitutional protection to the position of field marshal, giving the field marshal constitutional powers. Under the proposed amendment, the title of quarterback will be retained for life.
Additionally, the amendment bill proposes to increase the federal share of the National Finance Commission Award by 10%, with agreements expected to be reached to transfer control of the education and health sectors to the federal government.
The draft also states that in case of a deadlock in the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner, the matter will be referred to the Supreme Judicial Commission. In addition, the role of the president and prime minister in judicial appointments will be reduced and more power will be given to the Judicial Commission.
