27th Amendment: Senate session begins to discuss parliamentary committees’ report

ISLAMABAD: A day after the joint parliamentary committee on law and justice approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment draft with minor tweaks, the Senate session resumed on Monday to deliberate on the much-debated legislation.

Last week, the federal government presented a bill of the 27th Constitutional Amendment — proposing sweeping changes to the country’s judicial system as well as the military command structure — in the Senate amid protest by the opposition parties.

The Senate Secretariat has issued the orders of the day for November 10, which includes the key legislative business.

After the recitation, Senator Farooq H Naek, Chairman Standing Committee on Law and Justice, will present the report of the committee on the Bill further to amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan [The Constitution (27th Amendment) Bill, 2025].

Agenda items 44 and 45 pertain to moving the constitutional amendment bill, as reported by the House standing committee concerned, for taking up for consideration at once and passage. Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar will move the bill for consideration and passage.

Talking to the media after the meeting a day earlier, Senator Farooq H Naek said that the 27th Amendment draft had been approved, adding that “some adjustments were made following the incorporation of fresh suggestions during the meeting.”

Senator Naek said the basic draft of the amendment has been approved, adding that “some changes have been incorporated”, while the committee has authorised him and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar to finalise the remaining amendments.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Naek and MNA Mehmood Bashir Virk, was attended by Senator Tahir Khalil Sindhu, Senator Hidayatullah, Senator Shahadat Awan, Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro, Ali Haider Gillani, Saira Afzal Tarar, Bilal Azhar Kayani, Syed Naveed Qamar and Abrar Shah. Law Secretary Raja Naeem Akbar and senior officials from the Ministry of Law and Justice also participated.

The opposition parties boycotted the meeting. Members belonging to the PTI, JUIF, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) did not attend.

The committee members expressed regret over the boycott, saying that the opposition should have taken part in such an important constitutional process instead of distancing itself from it.

Sources said the Awami National Party (ANP) expressed reservations about the draft. Its proposal to rename Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was deferred after the government sought more time for consultations.

Similarly, the proposal by the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) for increasing provincial assembly seats was also postponed for further consideration.

Both matters are expected to be finalised after additional discussions on Monday.

The committee also approved amendments to Article 243 of the Constitution following detailed deliberations and endorsed the clause establishing constitutional courts.

Furthermore, the committee approved an amendment extending the period for adjudication of pending cases from six months to one year. Under the new provision, any case not pursued for a year will be deemed disposed of.

The Awami National Party (ANP) raised objections to the 27th Constitutional Amendment and declined to attend the prime minister’s dinner, it was learnt.

Currently, Article 243 of the Constitution entrusts the President of Pakistan with the supreme command of the armed forces, while stipulating that their control and command shall rest with the federal government.

Salient features of 27th Constitutional Amendment

• A new position, Chief of Defence Forces, to be created as head of the armed forces effective from November 27, 2025
• Chief of Army Staff to assume role as Chief of Defence Forces
• Field Marshal, Marshal of Air Force, Admiral of Fleet titles to remain for life
• The prime minister will appoint the commander of the National Strategic Command from the Pakistan Army on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces
• Federal Constitutional Court to be established
• Equal provincial representation proposed in the Federal Constitutional Court
• President and prime minister to play a key role in judicial appointments
• Parliament to decide the number of judges in the Federal Constitutional Court
• Supreme Court powers to be reduced, with some authorities shifted to the new court
• Term of Federal Constitutional Court chief justice to be limited to three years
• Immunity to president from criminal proceedings for life
• A new position, Chief of Defence Forces, to be created as head of the armed forces effective from November 27, 2025
• Chief of Army Staff to assume role as Chief of Defence Forces
• Field Marshal, Marshal of Air Force, Admiral of Fleet titles to remain for life
• The prime minister will appoint the commander of the National Strategic Command from the Pakistan Army on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces
• Federal Constitutional Court to be established
• Equal provincial representation proposed in the Federal Constitutional Court
• President and prime minister to play a key role in judicial appointments
• Parliament to decide the number of judges in the Federal Constitutional Court
• Supreme Court powers to be reduced, with some authorities shifted to the new court
• Term of Federal Constitutional Court chief justice to be limited to three years
• Immunity to president from criminal proceedings for life