The 27th Constitutional Amendment has been laid in the National Assembly. It was moved by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. The Amendment has already been passed by the Senate.Sharing main features, the Law Minister said the 27th constitutional amendment envisages the establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court. He said the federating units will be given equal representation in the constitutional court as per the spirit of Charter of Democracy.

Islamabad High Court will also be given representation in the federal constitutional court. The federal constitutional court will hear cases relating to constitutional matters and interpretation of the constitution. The permanent seat of the Federal Constitutional Court shall be at Islamabad. The Law Minister said the president may transfer a judge of a high court from one high court to another high court on the recommendations of and on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.

For this purpose, the chief justices of both high courts shall also be members of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. As per the amendment, the President shall, on advice of the Prime Minister, appoint the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently, the Chief of the Defense Forces.  The appointment of the chief of air staff and chief of naval staff will be made on the advice of the Prime Minister. The office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee shall stand abolished with effect from the twenty-seventh day of November 2025.

The Prime Minister shall, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces, appoint the Commander of the National Strategic Command from the members of Pakistan Army and shall also determine his salaries and allowances. Where the Federal Government promotes a member of the Armed Forces to the rank of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force or Admiral of the Fleet, such officer shall retain the rank, privileges and remain in uniform for life.

Upon completion of the term of his command, under the law, the Federal Government shall determine the responsibilities and duties of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force or Admiral of the Fleet in the interest of the State. According to the constitutional amendment, no criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be initiated or continued against the president for his life and for a governor during his term of office in any court. These provisions shall not be applicable during the period the President holds a public office after he ceases to be the President. 

The Law Minister said that effort was made to hold detailed discussions on the constitutional amendment. He mentioned the discussions that took place in the relevant standing committees of National Assembly and the Senate. He thanked the coalition partners for their support and guidance on the constitutional amendment. At the outset, the House offered fateha for the departed soul of Senator Irfan Siddiqui.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)