Assalamualaikum - Govt plans to present 27th constitutional amendment in Parliament next week
Assalamualaikum. A senior Pakistani minister said on Wednesday that the 27th constitutional amendment is expected to be tabled in Parliament next week and confirmed its main points, including proposed changes to the article concerning the armed forces. He added the government is working to build consensus among parties.
According to information shared by senior politicians, the amendment would bring major structural changes to Pakistan’s governance and constitution. Reportedly, it aims to set up a new Constitutional Court, restore certain powers of executive magistrates, change procedures for transferring judges, revise the military command clause (Article 243), and possibly adjust provincial revenue shares under the National Finance Commission Award.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif told the media that “this entire process will be carried out through mutual consultation,” and the government hopes to have clarity on consensus in the next two or three days, with the amendment likely to be presented to Parliament next week.
He said consultations on amending Article 243 are ongoing, noting that defence needs have changed. The clause currently states the federal government has command and control of the armed forces, with supreme command vested in the president.
Asif said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government, which is seeking a second constitutional amendment during its term, is in talks with all major parties about the reform package. He declined to discuss exact wording until the draft is finalized.
The minister confirmed the proposal includes creating a separate Constitutional Court with representation from all provinces to handle complex constitutional cases. He also said the government is considering changes to the process for judges’ transfers and to the mechanism for resolving deadlocks in appointing the Chief Election Commissioner.
Finally, he warned of constitutional issues stemming from delays in Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said talks are ongoing to ensure senators serve their full terms in line with the constitution.
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