Islamabad, November 3, 2025: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday confirmed that a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) delegation led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met him and President Asif Ali Zardari to seek their support for the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment.
In a statement issued later, the PPP quoted Bilawal as saying that the amendment’s draft includes provisions for establishing constitutional courts, restoring executive magistrates, and transferring judges. It also reportedly proposes ending the existing protection of provincial shares under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and amending Article 243 of the Constitution, which concerns the command of the armed forces.
According to Bilawal, the proposed legislation further seeks to return education and population planning to the federal domain and resolve the deadlock over appointments to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The PPP chairperson said that a session of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) had been convened after President Zardari’s return from Doha on November 6 to decide the party’s formal stance on the amendment. The meeting, to be held at Bilawal House in Karachi, will also review the overall political situation in the country, the party announced.
The development comes amid growing speculation in Islamabad’s political circles about the government’s plans to push forward the 27th Amendment—reportedly aimed at further “fine-tuning” the structure and functioning of the superior judiciary.
Last year, the coalition government had passed the 26th Constitutional Amendment during an overnight parliamentary session in October 2024. That legislation was marred by controversy, with the PTI alleging that several of its lawmakers had been coerced into supporting it. The Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) had also claimed that two of its senators were pressured into voting in favour of the amendment.
Although the 26th Amendment still faces legal challenges, talk of a follow-up 27th Amendment has gained traction in recent weeks.
In August, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had dismissed the need for a new amendment, saying the country was “running well” and experiencing stability and economic improvement. Bilawal himself had earlier termed reports about the 27th Amendment as “baseless rumours.” However, the ruling coalition now appears to be reconsidering its position.
The issue reportedly featured in Bilawal’s October 27 meeting with Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, where the two leaders discussed political cooperation and a possible joint stance on upcoming legislation. JUI-F sources said both sides emphasised the importance of parliamentary collaboration on new constitutional initiatives.
Meanwhile, the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly criticised the proposed amendment, calling it another attempt to manipulate constitutional institutions.
Earlier in June, the Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) had voiced support for the proposed 27th Amendment, urging comprehensive judicial reforms and the nationwide rotation of judges. IHCBA President Syed Wajid Hussain Gilani stated at the time that the legal fraternity welcomed the move, describing it as a continuation of the precedent set by the 26th Amendment.
