The federal cabinet on Saturday approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment draft, after taking into consideration suggestions put forward by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the cabinet meeting via video link from Baku, Azerbaijan. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and the attorney-general briefed the cabinet on the details of the amendment.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and Information Minister Atta Tarar were among the ministers who attended the session.
PM Shehbaz noted that he had taken PML-N President Nawaz Sharif into confidence for the amendments and sought his guidance on them. “I also took President Asif Ali Zardari into confidence regarding the Amendment and we are deeply grateful to him for their approval,” the premier said.
He went on to specifically thank PPP Chairman Bilawal-Bhutto Zardari and heads of other allied parties who held discussions with him and “strongly supported” the draft. The prime minister also noted that Awami National Party President Aimal Wali Khan, PML-Zia head Ijazul Haq and other politicians were apprised of the legislation.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told the media outside the Prime Minister’s House that the government will present the 27th Constitutional Amendment bill in the Senate today (Saturday).
He added that the bill may also be discussed in a joint parliamentary committee to allow detailed deliberations on its clauses.
The minister said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had consulted all allied parties before finalising the draft.
According to Tarar, the amendment includes the establishment of a separate federal Constitutional Court in line with the principles of the Charter of Democracy.
Following approval, judge transfers will be handled by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, with Chief Justices of High Courts participating in the process.
The draft also contains proposals regarding the tenure of Senate members, increasing the number of ministers from 11% to 13%, and expanding the limit on advisors from five to seven.
Positions not originally included in the 1973 Constitution, such as the Field Marshal post under the Army Act, are also proposed to be made permanent.
Tarar said all proposals will be presented in Parliament, and a two-thirds majority will be required for approval.
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