ISLAMABAD::The joint parliamentary committee on Law and Justice has given its nod to The Constitution (Twenty-seventh Amendment) Bill, 2025, which will be tabled in the Senate today (Monday) for consideration and approval.
A joint committee of the Senate and National Assembly on Law and Justice discussed proposed amendments in “The Constitution (Twenty-seventh Amend-ment) Bill, 2025” relating to the armed forces, establishment of Constitutional Court, inimmunities about the President and governors and others issues.
A meeting of Joint Committee of the Senate and National Assembly on Law and Justice jointly chaired by senator Farooq H. Naik and MNA Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk on Sunday.
PTI, JUI-F stage walkout from parliamentary panel meeting
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) and the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) continued boycott the committee meeting on Sunday. They had also boycotted Saturday’s session of the Committee.
The Awami National Party (ANP), Balochistan National Party (BNP)and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have also submitted their proposed amendments separately.
The sources said that the members of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) raised objections on the proposed amendment and the committee rejected with majority.
The ANP’s proposal to change the name of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as the BNP’s amendment seeking an increase in the number of provincial assembly seats in Balochistan.
The sources said that following detailed consultations, the joint parliamentary committee has approved amendments to Article 243 of the Constitution. The committee also approved a clause for the establishment of constitutional courts.
The Committee also approved the amendment extending the time limit for deciding pending cases from six months to one year. Under the new provision, if a case remains inactive for a year, it will be considered disposed of.
The Committee approved amendments in Article-243 of the Constitution, the creation of a new position titled Chief of Defence Forces, to be held by the Chief of Army Staff. According to the proposed amendment, individuals conferred with the ranks of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, or Admiral of the Fleet will remain in uniform for life. The President will appoint the Army Chief, Naval Chief, and Air Chief on the advice of the Prime Minister, while the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will be abolished.
According to the proposed Constitutional amendment, the Prime Minister, on the recommendation of the Chief of Defence Forces, will appoint a Commander of the National Strategic Command from within the Pakistan Army. Under the amendment, any officer awarded the rank of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, or Admiral of the Fleet will remain in uniform for life. Their ranks and privileges will also continue permanently.
The positions of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet may only be terminated through parliamentary impeachment. Furthermore, according to the proposed amendment, holders of these ranks will enjoy judicial immunity similar to that of the President. Upon completion of their command tenure, the federal government may assign them any role or responsibility in the national interest.
According to the proposed 27th constitutional amendment, a Federal Constitutional Court will be established in the country, and the authority to transfer High Court judges will be given to the Judicial Commission.
Equal provincial representation proposed in the Federal Constitutional Court. The proposed constitutional amendment states that if a judge refuses to accept a transfer, they will be considered retired.
A judge of the Federal Constitutional Court will remain in office until the age of 68. The Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court will retire upon completing their three-year term. The President will appoint any judge of the Constitutional Court as the acting Chief Justice.
According to the proposed constitutional amendment, neither the Constitutional Court nor the Supreme Court will have the authority to transfer any appeal or case from a High Court to itself or to any other High Court. The decisions of the Federal Constitutional Court will be binding on all courts in Pakistan, including the Supreme Court. All courts, except the Constitutional Court, will be bound by the decisions of the Supreme Court.
The initial judges of the Federal Constitutional Court will be appointed by the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister and in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court.
Under proposed Constitutional amendment, Article 184 on suo motu notices also removed.
According to another amendment, no criminal proceedings can be initiated against the President for life, and no criminal proceedings can be taken against a Governor during their term. No court will be able to take action to arrest or imprison the President or a Governor.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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