ISLAMABAD: In a flagrant display of political muscle, the ruling PML-N and PPP coalition rammed through the 27th Constitutional Amendment in the National Assembly on Wednesday, pushing through a handful of amendments despite a fierce storm of opposition protests.
With a commanding majority of 234 votes, the coalition pushed the bill through the lower house of parliament, ignoring vehement opposition from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which staged a walkout, condemning the legislation as little more than a brazen power grab.
Four JUI-F lawmakers joined the opposition in dissent, voting against the bill, but it was the absence of a unified opposition uproar that underscored a pivotal shift in the country’s political landscape.
The bill was pushed through a two-tiered voting process – first a divisive floor vote, then a clause-by-clause tally – meticulously orchestrated by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.
Now, the contentious legislation heads back to the Senate, where the freshly minted eight new amendments will be subjected to another round of debate.
If the Senate objects to the amendments introduced by the National Assembly, the bill will be sent to a joint sitting of Parliament – a move required by the 18th Amendment. If the upper house raises no objections, however, the bill will swiftly pass to President Asif Ali Zardari for assent, after which it will become law, cementing the ruling coalition’s controversial overhaul.
The government made four changes while scrapping an equal number of provisions. Among the key amendments, the term “Federal Constitutional Court” was added to Clause 2 of Article 6, while “Supreme Court” was inserted into Article 10. Another revision came in Article 176, which ensures that the current Chief Justice Yahya Afridi will retain his position until the end of his term.
Meanwhile, Clause 2 of Article 255 was modified to redefine the process for appointing the Chief Justice after the current term.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar further clarified that the senior-most justice between the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of the newly established Federal Constitutional Court would be designated as Chief Justice of Pakistan, a move that raises questions about the future independence of the judiciary.
Among the bill’s most significant provisions are sweeping changes to the country’s power structure. The Chief of Army Staff will now assume the newly created role of Chief of Defence Forces, while the titles of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet will be granted for life.
Justice Yahya Afridi will continue as Chief Justice of Pakistan until the completion of his current term, but under the new framework, the senior-most justice from either the Supreme Court or the newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) will be designated as Chief Justice of Pakistan.
The FCC, which will be empowered to take suomotu action upon petitions, will have equal provincial representation.
In another controversial move, both the President and Prime Minister will be given a key role in judicial appointments, raising concerns about potential political interference.
Additionally, the bill limits presidential immunity for former presidents who assume public office after their tenure.
The Judicial Commission will oversee the transfer of high court judges, with any objections to these transfers subject to review by the Supreme Judicial Council.
The multi-clause amendment bill, which required a two-thirds majority in the 336-member National Assembly, was swiftly passed by the ruling coalition, which secured the necessary votes without much difficulty.
With the PML-N holding 125 seats, the PPP 74, and smaller parties such as the MQM-P, PML-Q, and Istehkam-e-Pakistan adding to the tally, the government easily met the threshold. Additional backing came from one seat each held by the PML-Z, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), and the National People’s Party (NPP), cementing the coalition’s grip on the legislative process.
Defending the amendments, Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar argued that consultations with the legal community revealed widespread confusion regarding the continuity of the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s position, a claim that the opposition parties view as a pretext for consolidating power.
“To clear up this confusion,” Law and Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar declared, “I will introduce an amendment explicitly stating that the current Chief Justice of Pakistan will remain in office until the completion of his term.”
He also referenced to Article 6 of the Constitution, stressing that under the 18th Amendment, neither the Supreme Court nor any high court could endorse the abrogation of the Constitution. “The constitutional court will now be added to the list to eliminate any remaining ambiguity,” he said.
The session descended into chaos as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, joined by his brother, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, entered the assembly hall.
Enraged PTI lawmakers, furious over the passage of the 27th Amendment, ripped up copies of the bill and hurled them toward the Prime Minister’s chamber, turning the scene into a chaotic protest of flying paper.
In swift response, PML-N lawmakers formed a human shield around the embattled premier, preventing PTI members from getting any closer.
As Tarar began his speech, opposition MPs converged near the speaker’s dais, waving placards that read “Free Imran Khan” and chanting “Go Zardari Go” and “Thief, thief.”
The protest reached its peak when the opposition staged a walkout during the clause-by-clause reading of the bill.
Mehmood Khan Achakzai, leader of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, denounced the amendments as undemocratic, accusing the ruling coalition of undermining the people’s will.
“You stole the mandate,” he said, citing the exiles of Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto as proof of the government’s disregard for democracy.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025