ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The federal government is moving forward with plans to have the 27th Constitutional Amendment passed from the parliament at the earliest.
On Monday, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that a PM-led delegation of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had visited him and President Asif Ali Zardari, seeking their support for the approval of a 27th Constitutional Amendment.
Key points of 27th Constitutional Amendment
The government, through the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, wants significant changes to five key articles of the Constitution, according to sources.
According to insiders, the government is seeking amendments to Articles 160 (3A), 191A, 213, 243, and a new article related to judicial restructuring.
Under the proposal, Article 160 (3A), which guarantees the provinces’ share in federal revenues, would be revised to remove the existing constitutional guarantee.
The draft also proposes a major overhaul of the judicial framework through amendments to Article 191A and the introduction of a new article providing for the creation of a “Constitutional Court” or “Supreme Constitutional Court.”
The proposed body would have final authority over constitutional interpretation, effectively redefining the existing judicial powers.
Amendments to Article 200 have also been sought to modify the transfer process of High Court judges.
Furthermore, the draft includes a proposal to bring education and population planning back under the federal government’s control, reversing the devolution made under the 18th Amendment to the constitution.
Changes to Article 243 would ensure that the command of the armed forces rests solely with the federal government/
An amendment to Article 213 of the constitution would redefine the procedure for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner.
According to the sources, the draft amendment bill has been shared with the Pakistan Peoples’ Party with the federal government seeking its support for parliamentary approval.
