Islamabad, November 8, 2025: In a major legislative development, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Saturday presented the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Senate, marking a significant step toward reshaping Pakistan’s constitutional and institutional framework.
The bill was immediately referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice by Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani for detailed deliberations.
Speaking to the media after a cabinet meeting chaired virtually by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif from Baku, Tarar said the cabinet had approved the draft amendment aimed at broad constitutional reforms.
“The prime minister consulted with allies to ensure broad support for the legislation,” Tarar said, adding that a consensus was reached on establishing a new Federal Constitutional Court.
PPP’s support and key reforms
The move came a day after Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari announced his party’s backing for amending Article 243 and forming a constitutional court while ensuring that civilian and democratic oversight remained intact.
“After our Central Executive Committee meeting, we agreed on three points: amending Article 243, establishing a constitutional court, and managing judges’ transfers through proper consultation,” Bilawal said in a press conference in Karachi on Friday.
Tarar elaborated that under the new proposal, judges’ transfers will fall under the Judicial Commission’s authority.
“There have been many objections to judges’ transfers. If a judge wishes to move from one high court to another, both chief justices of the concerned courts will be part of the committee,” he said.
Amendments to Article 243 and Defence Structure
Touching on Article 243, which defines the command and appointment of the armed forces, Tarar said the reforms aimed to modernize command structures and reflect evolving security realities.
“Recent Pakistan-India tensions have taught us many lessons. The nature and strategy of war have completely changed,” he said.
“Appointment procedures and some positions were previously in the Army Act but not mentioned in the 1973 Constitution. Parallel ranks exist worldwide for Air and Naval Chiefs.”
The law minister also noted that the position of Field Marshal was “both a rank and a ceremonial honour,” and that related amendments regarding military command would also be tabled in Parliament.
PM Shehbaz thanks allies
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to coalition partners for their support on the amendment draft, calling it a collective step toward strengthening federal harmony and democratic institutions.
“This amendment reflects joint efforts to improve the federation’s relationship with provinces and advance the national interest,” Shehbaz said.
He also thanked former PM Nawaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and coalition leaders including Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Abdul Aleem Khan, Khalid Hussain Magsi, and Chaudhry Salik Hussain for their “personal engagement and full support.” Consultations were also held with Aimal Wali Khan and Ijazul Haq, he added.
Highlights of the proposed amendment
According to the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, available with Sub News:
- The post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will be abolished, and replaced by a new title — Chief of Defence Forces — as the overall head of the armed forces.
- Significant judicial reforms will create a Federal Constitutional Court with equal provincial representation and a three-year term for the Chief Justice.
- The president and prime minister will play a key role in judicial appointments, while Parliament will determine the number of judges in the new court.
- Certain constitutional powers of the Supreme Court will be transferred to the new Constitutional Court.
- Senior military officers, including the Field Marshal, will be granted lifetime status for their ranks.
The cabinet also reviewed proposals from coalition partners, including the Balochistan Awami Party’s request for additional provincial seats and the MQM-P’s local government reform bill.
