ISLAMABAD, NOV 12: The National Assembly on Wednesday approved all 59 clauses of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill amid the opposition’s boycott, completing the clause-by-clause voting process.
The Bill has been approved in the Lower House, two days after the Senate approved the key legislation, which seeks major judicial and military reforms.
Following the conclusion of clause-by-clause voting, the lower house of parliament now began voting by division on the amendment bill.
The government introduced eight new amendments to the bill. The proposed changes include the removal of four clauses and the addition of four new ones.
The term Federal Constitutional Court has been added to Clause 2 of Article 6 of the Constitution. The word Supreme Court has been included in Article 10.
An amendment to Article 176 states that the incumbent Chief Justice will continue to be referred to as the Chief Justice of Pakistan until completion of their term.
After its passage by the National Assembly, it will be sent back to the Senate for reconsideration of the new amendments before final approval by the upper house.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif also attended the session in the Lower House of Parliament. As PM Shehbaz and Nawaz entered the house, PTI lawmakers tore up copies of the bill and hurled them toward the premier’s seat.
Tarar tables bill
Following a two-day-long debate, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the National Assembly.
Speaking on the NA floor, Tarar said that the key features of the 27th Constitutional Amendment had already been presented in the Senate. He added that amending the Constitution and laws was an evolutionary process.
The law minister added that all stakeholders were consulted regarding the proposed constitutional changes. He further clarified that Justice Yahya Afridi will continue to serve as the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
The key legislation — tabled by Law Minister Tarar after approval from the Senate on Monday — requires a two-thirds majority in the 336-member National Assembly for passage.
The ruling coalition appears well-positioned to secure the numbers, with the PML-N holding 125 seats, the PPP 74, MQM-P 22, PML-Q four, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party four, and one seat each held by the PML-Z, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), and National Peoples Party.
The 59-clause amendment seeks to overhaul the country’s military and judicial structures. It was moved by the law minister and secured 64 votes in the 96-member House, with no votes against it, as opposition lawmakers boycotted the proceedings and tore up their copies in protest.
Apart from treasury members, ANP’s senators, PTI-backed Saifullah Abro, and JUI-F’s Ahmed Khan also supported the bill. In a surprise move, Abro refrained from joining the protest and later announced his resignation from the Senate.
‘No suo motu from now’
Speaking on the NA floor, the PPP chairman said that following the 27th Constitutional Amendment, the judiciary will no longer have the authority to take suo motu actions.
He noted that the PPP and PML-N had faced the “consequences” of suo motu powers, especially during the tenure of former Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry.
“We have witnessed prime ministers and ministers being humiliated under the pretext of suo motu. The judiciary even used this authority to regulate the prices of tomatoes and potatoes,” Bilawal added.
“We have seen a Chief Justice use this power to initiate a dam project. But from now on, there will be no suo motu.”
The PPP chairman said that the 26th Constitutional Amendment was passed with maximum consensus, a process he said reflected the spirit of democratic cooperation.
He added that Maulana Fazlur Rehman played a key role in engaging Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other opposition parties to build agreement on the amendment, even seeking their approval for participation in the vote.
Bilawal said that the previous constitutional change created constitutional benches instead of a constitutional court, as the then–chief justice could not assume the court’s leadership.
“This time, through the 27th Amendment, we are establishing a proper constitutional court,” he stated, adding that the reform would further strengthen the judicial system.
He also condemned the recent wave of terrorist attacks, urging political parties and citizens to stand united against the threat of extremism.
“We may have political or ideological differences, but the entire nation must unite against terrorism,” Bilawal said, adding that militants were once again attempting to destabilise the country.
He recalled that Pakistan’s military, civil society, and citizens had previously defeated terrorism through immense sacrifices, asserting that the country would “once again overcome the menace.”
“Pakistan achieved what the entire world could not in Afghanistan — defeating terrorists on our own soil,” Bilawal remarked, paying tribute to the martyrs who laid down their lives for peace.
The PPP chairman also revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had decided to appoint the army chief as field marshal as part of the government’s efforts to enhance the country’s defence structure.
He said the post of field marshal would be constitutionally protected under Article 243, alongside other defence-related amendments soon to be introduced.
“Constitution-making derives its strength from consensus,” Bilawal noted, recalling that the 1973 Constitution was passed with unanimous agreement among all parties, while the 18th Amendment was enacted after PML-N and PPP jointly defeated dictatorship and restored democracy.
Achakzai tears copy of bill
As the National Assembly session began today, NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq referred to the agenda on the 27th Amendment bill and gave the floor to PkMAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai.
Addressing the lower house, Achakzai criticised the government, saying it was formed under “Form 47” and questioned the legitimacy of members who had narrowly won elections.
He challenged whether such a parliament should have the authority to amend the Constitution. Achakzai tore a copy of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the House.
NA speaker reiterates dialogue offer
During the session, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq once again offered opposition parties to hold dialogue with the government.
“As speaker of the National Assembly, I am ready to facilitate negotiations between the government and the opposition. If both sides sit together, solutions will emerge,” he added.
The NA speaker reiterated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had repeatedly invited the opposition for talks, offering to facilitate dialogue to find solutions.
“Even if nothing comes out on the first day, continuing talks will yield results. My role is to bring the government and opposition to the negotiation table,” said Sadiq.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, while replying to the NA speaker’s dialogue offer, said the party “never gave up on dialogue”.
‘Bill can be tabled in Senate again’
While talking to the media, the law minister said voting on the amendment will take place in the house today.
“If any changes are needed, it can be presented in the Senate. If there is any ambiguity, it is better that it is discussed.”
“Only the parliament has the power to amend the Constitution. The constitutional court cannot rewrite it,” he added.
Info minister slams PTI
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar criticised the opposition on Wednesday for rejecting the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, accusing them of “selective memory” and “double standards.”
Referring to speeches made by opposition members, Tarar said it appeared they “could not recall anything before 2022” — the year former prime minister Imran Khan was ousted.
He accused the PTI of accepting “fascism” when in power but opposing parliamentary procedures now. “When Parliament — the highest institution — tries to pass a constitutional amendment through legal means and consultation, they have a problem with it,” he said.
“This selective morality, selective justice, double standards — what exactly is their politics other than this?” Tarar questioned.
Tarar accused PTI’s Shehryar Afridi of failing to suggest any “improvements” to the proposed amendment and criticised the party for constantly raising the Form-47 issue after the 2024 general elections.
Highlights of new amendment
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
Federal Constitutional Court to be established
Equal provincial representation approved in Federal Constitutional Court
FCC empowered to take suo motu notice upon petitions
Islamabad High Court to have one judge on FCC bench
President and prime minister to play a key role in judicial appointments
Supreme Court powers to be reduced, with some authorities shifted to the new court
Presidential immunity limited if president assumes any public office after tenure
Judges must serve five years in high court for eligibility of Constitutional Court
Judicial Commission to decide transfer of high court judges
Objections on transfers to be reviewed by Supreme Judicial Council
