The 27th Amendment passes the Bill in the Senate on Monday with 64 votes in favour, securing a two-thirds majority despite fierce opposition protests and a walkout. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the bill, which introduces the Chief of Defence Forces Pakistan position and establishes a Federal Constitutional Court 27th Amendment Pakistan. The vote followed clause-by-clause approval under Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani. This marks a significant step after a joint parliamentary committee, boycotted by the opposition, recommended minor tweaks.
Opposition members decried the move as an erosion of institutional balance. They tore copies of the bill, chanted slogans against the government, and staged a walkout before the division vote. The passage relied on two opposition defections, including PTI Senator Saifullah Abro, who later resigned citing support for Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir.
Why This Matters in South Asia
Pakistan 27th Amendment passes in Senate reshapes power dynamics in a volatile region. The creation of the Chief of Defence Forces Pakistan centralises military command, potentially strengthening responses to cross-border threats from Afghanistan and India. Yet, it raises alarms over civilian oversight amid rising militancy, as seen in the same-day Cadet College Wana attack where security forces killed two terrorists. A Federal Constitutional Court 27th Amendment Pakistan could streamline judicial efficiency but risks diluting the Supreme Court’s role, impacting regional stability where constitutional disputes often spill into geopolitics. For South Asia, this bolsters Pakistan’s defence posture but fuels debates on hybrid governance models influencing neighbours like India and Bangladesh.
Key Provisions of the 27th Amendment
The bill amends multiple articles, focusing on defence and judiciary reforms. Article 243 sees the most overhaul, abolishing the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and introducing the Chief of Defence Forces Pakistan. The President will appoint the Army Chief concurrently as Chief of Defence Forces on the Prime Minister’s advice, with similar provisions for Navy and Air Force chiefs.
This structure aims to enhance coordination among services. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar described it as fulfilling the “unfinished agenda” of the 2006 Charter of Democracy. The amendment also constitutionalises the Field Marshal rank as a lifetime honour for General Munir, Credited with leading forces in the May 2025 India conflict. Immunity from criminal proceedings shields the Chief of Defence Forces during tenure, aligning with global practices for heads of state, per Tarar.
Data from the Ministry of Defence indicates this could reduce inter-service silos, vital as terror incidents surge. Post-2022, attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan rose 60 per cent, per official tallies. The Wana infiltration underscores urgency, with three militants still at large.
Opposition Walkout
Opposition walkout 27th Amendment Senate dominated proceedings. PTI Senator Ali Zafar warned the changes undermine accountability: “If anyone committed a crime, they must face punishment per the Constitution.” JUI-F expelled Senator Ahmed Khan for defying the boycott. MQM-P’s Faisal Subzwari supported defence tweaks but demanded local government safeguards, tying into Article 140-A.
Protests echoed broader fears. Fawzia Arshad of PTI claimed: “Institutions are being trampled, rights taken away.” The walkout followed uproar as Tarar tabled the bill, with senators rejecting claims it was a “9/11 on Pakistan,” as one opposition voice labelled it.
Government allies defended the haste. PPP Senator Zamir Hussain Ghumro argued the Supreme Court has overstepped into executive realms: “It enforces fundamental rights, a high courts’ role.” PML-N’s Agha Shahzaib Durrani accused PTI of past ordinance excesses. The defections tipped the scale; Abro’s resignation letter praised the military’s India war victory but lamented PTI inaction during his family’s abduction amid the 26th Amendment.
Federal Constitutional Court 27th Amendment Pakistan: Judicial Overhaul
The Federal Constitutional Court 27th Amendment Pakistan forms a new apex body with seven judges, ensuring equal provincial representation plus an Islamabad High Court nominee. Qualifications drop to five years’ high court experience from seven. The Judicial Commission of Pakistan gains diversity, allowing the Speaker to nominate women, non-Muslims or technocrats.
This addresses the Supreme Court’s 50,000-case backlog, per judicial data. FCC handles constitutional petitions exclusively, retaining suo motu powers only post-validation. Transfers of judges require commission approval, and interim stays in revenue cases lapse after one year. Seniority for Supreme Court elevations remains intact.
Tarar highlighted international precedents: “Constitutional courts exist in many nations for efficiency.” Naek, committee chair, noted: “It strengthens federation and judicial independence.” Critics, including senior lawyers, demand full court review, fearing weakened oversight.
The amendment retains 18th Amendment gains but adds president powers for high court judge transfers. MQM-P seeks Article 142 tweaks on advocate generals in a future bill.
Background: Path to Passage
Discussions intensified post-May 2025 India tensions, where military leadership drew praise. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted dinners for senators, per a Ministry of Information press release: “We worked together to strengthen the federation.” Coalition partners like PPP and MQM-P secured nods after consultations.
The bill evolved from a 59-clause draft. Minor changes included JCP reforms. Opposition boycott of the committee left approvals to allies. Senate session started at 11am, adjourned briefly, reconvened at 3:30pm for voting. Gates closed during division to prevent further exits.
In the National Assembly, the coalition commands 233 seats against 103 opposition. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq adjourned Monday’s session; voting resumes Tuesday at 11am.
What’s Next for 27th Amendment
The bill heads to the National Assembly for ratification. If passed, President Asif Ali Zardari signs it into law. Implementation timelines: FCC setup within six months, defence appointments immediate. Legal challenges loom; PTI vows Supreme Court petitions. Regional eyes watch for impacts on CPEC security and Afghan border ops.
Pakistan 27th Amendment passes in Senate closes one chapter but opens debates on enduring civilian-military equilibrium.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, November 11th, 2025
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