ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The federal cabinet on Saturday approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presiding over the meeting via video link from Azerbaijan.
Following the cabinet’s approval, the amendment will now be presented in the Senate for further discussion.
Addressing the media after the cabinet’s nod to the draft, Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar said the government will present the 27th Constitutional Amendment draft in the Senate today.
“After Senate approval, the bill will be referred to a joint parliamentary committee led by Farooq Naik and Mahmood Bashir Virk for review. The draft has already been discussed with coalition partners to ensure consensus before being presented in Parliament,” he said.
Tarar said that the proposed amendment includes the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court, a long-standing commitment under the Charter of Democracy.
This court will function separately from SC and will handle constitutional matters. Parliament will decide on its final structure and approval after debate, with the government and its allies supporting its passage, he said.
Furthermore, another key proposal concerns judicial transfers. Currently, the PM recommends and the President approves such transfers, but the new bill proposes that this authority be transferred to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.
“The Chief Justices of both the transferring and receiving high courts will be included in the process to ensure transparency and fairness.”
The bill also addresses Senate elections and terms, aiming to prevent delays caused by provincial disputes and court cases, such as those seen in KP, the minister said.
Moreover, the government has proposed to update defence-related provisions in Article 243 to reflect these changes.
“Positions such as Field Marshal and equivalent honorary ranks for the Air and Naval Chiefs, previously recognized under the Army Act, will now be formally mentioned in the constitution as ceremonial titles to honour national heroes,” the Law Minister said.
“Their command and appointments will continue to be regulated by law, and the relevant arrangements will be presented before Parliament for approval,” he added.
The govt also plans to move forward with pending legislative matters, including the bill proposed by the MQM during the 26th Amendment for amendments to Article 140-A. Bill will be discussed alongside the new amendment in the Senate committee to build consensus among all allies, he stated.
