ISLAMABAD:
The PML-N led federal government on Tuesday formally introduced the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the National Assembly amid loud protests from opposition members. A 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. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar later moved the motion to introduce the bill. As he began his speech, PTI lawmakers entered the house and started shouting slogans against the proposed legislation.
Tarar said the appointment of judges through major forums is an international practice and extensive consultations had been held before the amendment was tabled. He noted that the Senate had already passed the amendment by a two-thirds majority.
He stated that Article 184 of the Constitution had “appeared as a monster” through abuse of suo motu powers and that the Charter of Democracy had originally included the creation of a Constitutional Court.
He said that two major political parties had agreed on the changes in accordance with the spirit of the Charter of Democracy and that the new Constitutional Court would now have the same powers as the existing constitutional benches of the Supreme Court.
The amendment, he added, also lays down a procedure for transfer of Supreme 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 head 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, given in recognition of his professional excellence, and that any decision to withdraw the title could only be taken by 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 “constitutional amendments should strengthen democracy, not bury it.” He said the amendment would weaken the judiciary instead of empowering it, adding: “Today is a day of mourning for democracy.”
Calling it the “Baku Amendment”, he claimed it was passed under pressure from abroad and accused the government of using amendments to give itself immunity from accountability.
Gohar warned against drawing the military into political disputes, saying: “You must not politicize the army or dock it – 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 proposal regarding local governments was not included in the 27th Amendment but would be part of the upcoming 28th Amendment.
He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet for agreeing in principle to empower local bodies, stressing that “without empowered local governments, democracy cannot function effectively”.
Senior PML-N leader Khawaja Asif also emphasized the decentralization 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 and are ignoring the spirit of the 18th Amendment, which promised true local empowerment.
Finance Minister Bilal Azhar Kayani defended the 27th Amendment, saying its core objective was 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 underscored that Pakistan remains “a nation at war” against terrorism and extremism. Kayani said the armed forces, police and security agencies lay down their lives for national security.
He noted that 15 percent of Supreme Court cases are of a constitutional nature, but spend 50 percent of the time, justifying the creation of a separate constitutional court. He criticized the opposition for skipping parliamentary committees and “choosing television studios instead.”
The minister added that under the 18th amendment powers should have been devolved to the lower levels of government and in future the NFC award should be linked to provincial funding awards to ensure equitable distribution of resources.
The session of the National Assembly was adjourned until 11 today, when the vote on the 27th constitutional amendment is expected to take place.
