The standing committees on law and justice of both the National Assembly and Senate convened a joint session on Sunday to continue deliberations on the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment bill. The bill, tabled in the Senate on Saturday after federal cabinet approval, proposes the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), reforms in the appointment process for high court judges, a higher cap on provincial cabinets, and changes to the military leadership structure.
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Senator Farooq H. Naek and MNA Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk are co-chairing the session, which is also expected to finalise the mechanism for transferring high court judges through the Judicial Commission of Pakistan, potentially without the consent of judges involved. Nearly 80 percent of the bill, including key judicial reform clauses, was cleared in the previous session, while discussions on the field marshal’s status under Article 243 have been deferred.
The session has faced political friction, with PTI lawmakers and JUI-F members boycotting proceedings, claiming that the bill undermines judicial independence and disrupts the balance of power enshrined in the 1973 Constitution. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar urged opposition parties to contribute constructively, emphasising that discussions will continue until a consensus is reached among members of both Houses.
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In a rare move, the Senate is scheduled to meet at 3pm on Sunday with a one-point agenda to “consider” the bill, signaling the government’s intention to expedite the passage of the amendments. While PTI leaders have criticised the pace, ruling parties, including PML-N and PPP, insist that the draft has undergone thorough scrutiny, following consultations with allied parties.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has engaged with several coalition partners, including PML-Q, IPP, MQM-P, BAP, ANP, and PML-Zia, though no formal talks with the PTI have taken place. The debate continues to highlight the contentious nature of the constitutional reforms and their potential impact on the judiciary and governance structure.
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