Law Minister says that all parties consulted; Opposition protests lack of transparency; The government approves the bill
Union Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the 27th (Constitutional) Amendment Bill in the Senate on Thursday, sparking a heated debate between the Treasury and Opposition benches soon after the presentation.
Presenting the bill, the minister said that the draft bill has been prepared after consulting all political parties. He said discussions on the 27th amendment had been ongoing for several days and the federal cabinet had given its formal approval earlier in the day.
He clarified that the proposed legislation contained provisions empowering the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) with powers to transfer judges between high courts and expand the size of provincial cabinets.
The minister also announced that the post of chairman of the joint staff committee would be abolished from 27 November. “From now on, the Chief of Army Staff will also serve as the Chief of 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 on the Chief of Army Staff the honorary rank of Field Marshal and henceforth the titles of Field Marshal, Navy Marshal and Air Marshal will be life honours.”
However, the minister clarified that the power to withdraw such titles would rest with a joint session of Parliament. After the introduction of the Bill, Question Time was suspended through a motion moved by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and approved by the House.
The bill was then referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice, where members of the National Assembly’s corresponding committee would also be invited to attend. The joint session will be chaired by the chairs of both committees.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said while addressing the Senate that the standing committee would hold a detailed discussion on the proposed amendment.
He emphasized that the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition was the constitutional prerogative of the Senate President, adding that “the matter is now in your court, Mr Speaker – it is your right to decide.”
However, opposition senators protested strongly, claiming that the bill had been tabled without sharing its details with them. Senator Raja Nasir Abbas protested that the opposition had not been shown the draft in advance.
PTI Senator Ali Zafar also raised concerns, saying, “We have not even read the text of the 27th Amendment yet. The opposition must not be sidelined.”
Senator Raja Nasir Abbas further criticized the proposal to abolish the Joint Staff Committee, arguing: “This position exists all over the world, but in Pakistan it is being scrapped 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 legislation for personal gain. “Some people are drafting laws to release thieves,” he said. “It’s not a question of timing, but of intent – some have questionable motives.”
He noted that the PTI had supported the 26th Amendment during committee deliberations but later opposed it. He promised that no law would be allowed to weaken democracy or deprive the provinces of their power.
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said debate on constitutional amendments was the essence of democracy. “The PPP paid the price for boycotting the 1985 elections. The opposition too should play its due role in constitutional matters,” she said.
Rehman referred to the Charter of Democracy and recalled that the establishment of a constitutional court was among its obligations.
She also stressed that state institutions should not be privatized at one-time prices; instead, collective strategies should be adopted to strengthen the federation.
PTI Senator Faisal Javed launched a strong attack on the government, saying a “fake-mandate government” had no right to amend the constitution.
“The will of the people was rejected in the 2024 election. How can this government, formed through a stolen mandate, change the constitution?” he asked.
He said the country cannot progress until power and sovereignty rests with the people.
Referring to PTI founder Imran Khan, he said that the leader who really won the mandate is behind bars while the ruling parties themselves admit that they did not win the election.
After the extensive debate, the 27th Amendment was referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice for detailed consideration.
Earlier, the Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary, on Saturday that the Federal Cabinet has approved the draft of the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment.
