ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani government is putting the final touches on the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, expected to be ready by Thursday, with plans to get federal cabinet approval on Friday and introduce it in the Senate the same day.
defenseA major feature of the amendment focuses on defence reforms, aiming to enhance coordination among the armed forces for a unified and rapid response to any foreign threat. The provision has been drafted in light of lessons from the recent Pakistan-India conflict and evolving modern warfare requirements, emphasizing inter-services collaboration.
The ruling PML-N is consulting coalition partners to ensure smooth passage of the amendment. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with a PML-N delegation, has already met PPP leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, to secure support.
While the PPP agrees with most proposed reforms, it has expressed concerns about changes to the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, stressing the need to protect provincial shares in national resources.
Bilawal Bhutto disclosed that the amendment package includes establishing constitutional courts, reinstating executive magistrates, judge transfers, revisions to Article 243 on armed forces command, and moving education and population planning back to the federal list. The PPP’s Central Executive Committee is set to meet Thursday in Karachi to finalize the party’s stance.
Government sources confirmed that treasury MNAs and senators currently abroad have been called back to Islamabad to ensure smooth parliamentary approval.
defenseRegarding Article 243, which vests control of the armed forces in the federal government and Supreme Command in the President, the defense minister said consultations with political parties are ongoing, reflecting changing defence needs. The amendment is expected to be presented to parliament next week.
defenseProposals also include a separate Constitutional Court with provincial representation. The defence minister highlighted that constitutional cases, though only six percent of cases, often face delays due to their complexity. Judge transfers will be handled by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, and steps are being taken to prevent delays in Senate terms, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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