Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday confirmed the federal government will “soon” table the 27th Constitutional Amendment after consultation with coalition partners, adding it will be referred to the relevant committee after a parliamentary debate.
Earlier this week, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari announced in a post on X that a delegation of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) had approached his party to secure its support for the amendment. He said the proposed legislative changes sought to establish a Constitutional Court, alter the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, and amend Article 243, pertaining to the supreme command of the armed forces, among other adjustments.
Addressing Bhutto-Zardari’s announcement on the floor of the Senate, Dar confirmed the 27th amendment was “on its way,” adding the government will attempt to present it in line with the Constitution. He assured lawmakers they would be able to debate the proposed changes and share their opinions before the legislation was referred to the relevant committee.
“It will not happen that the amendment is passed in haste—I give this assurance,” he said.
Dar said the government is currently in discussions with the PPP and would subsequently take other allied parties such as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), the Awami National Party (ANP), and the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) into confidence before finalizing the draft. “The final document will be presented before the House,” he said.
The minister said Bhutto-Zardari had a right to express his opinion on X. He urged Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar to table the amendment in the Senate and send it to the committee. He also advised the Senate chairman to instruct the committee to invite the National Assembly’s law and justice committee to its session for further consultation.
Rebutting claims the amendment was “imposed” on Parliament, Dar said it was the government’s initiative. “It is not landing by parachute from anywhere,” he maintained.
During his address, Dar also supported the opposition’s demand for the immediate appointment of the opposition leader, adding it was up to the Senate chairman to satisfy himself on who commanded a majority.
Prior to the minister’s address, Senator Ali Zafar of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) described the 27th Amendment as a “conspiracy against the Constitution.” He claimed recent statements by various government ministers expressing ignorance about the legislation suggested they were either lying or were unaware of it. “In both cases, it means that someone else is drafting the 27th Amendment for them,” he alleged. He further claimed the changes announced by Bhutto-Zardari indicated the government planned to undo gains introduced by the 18th Amendment and undermine judicial independence. He questioned how the PPP had not outright rejected such proposals, as they ran counter to the party’s spirit and legacy.
PPP CEC
In his post, Bhutto-Zardari said a meeting of the PPP’s Central Executive Committee on Nov. 6 (Thursday) would deliberate the proposed 27th Amendment and decide a party policy. PPP Senator Sherry Rehman told Geo News the party had received a draft of the legislation but said no official position would be taken until after the CEC meeting.
She further said if the PTI was committed to engaging with the legislation and improving it, then it should return to committees and work there.
While it remains unclear when the 27th Amendment would be tabled in Parliament, sources suggest the government is planning to present it in the Senate on Nov. 7 and only proceeding to the National Assembly after it has been approved by the Upper House. This move appears motivated by the government retaining a significant majority in the Lower House while requiring greater support in the Senate.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja told reporters his party did not support any new amendment to the Constitution, describing the contents of Bhutto-Zardari’s post as “extremely dangerous.”