Tempers flare in Senate as 27th Amend bill tabled

Law minister says all parties consulted; Opposition protests lack of transparency; Cabinet approves draft bill

ISLAMABAD:

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Thursday introduced the 27th (Constitution) Amendment Bill in the Senate, triggering a heated debate between treasury and opposition benches soon after its presentation.

Introducing the bill, the minister said the draft bill has been prepared after consultation with all political parties. He said discussions regarding the 27th amendment had been ongoing for several days, and the federal cabinet had granted its formal approval earlier in the day.

He clarified that the proposed legislation included provisions to empower the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) with the authority to transfer judges between high courts and to expand the size of provincial cabinets.

The minister further announced that the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee would be abolished from November 27. "From now on, the Chief of Army Staff will also serve as the Chief of Defence Forces," he added.

Tarar also informed the house that the prime minister, in consultation with the army chief, would appoint the Chief of National Command.

"The nation has conferred the honorary rank of Field Marshal upon the army chief, and henceforth the titles of Field Marshal, Fleet Marshal, and Marshal of the Air Force will be lifetime honours."

However, the minister clarified that the power to withdraw such titles would rest with a joint session of parliament. Following the bill's presentation, the question hour was suspended through a motion moved by the minister for parliamentary affairs and approved by the house.

The bill was then referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice, where members of the National Assembly's corresponding committee would also be invited to participate. The joint session will be co-chaired by the heads of both committees.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, while addressing the Senate, said the standing committee would hold a detailed discussion on the proposed amendment.

He emphasized that the appointment of the leader of the opposition was the constitutional prerogative of the Senate chairman, adding that "the matter now lies in your court, Mr Chairman—it is your right to decide."

Opposition senators, however, strongly protested, arguing that the bill had been presented without sharing its details with them. Senator Raja Nasir Abbas objected that the opposition had not been shown the draft beforehand.

PTI Senator Ali Zafar also raised concern, saying, "We have not even read the text of the 27th amendment yet. The opposition must not be sidelined."

Senator Raja Nasir Abbas further criticized the proposal to abolish the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, arguing, "This position exists worldwide, but in Pakistan, it is being scrapped to make the army chief even more powerful. Such legislation will make the Constitution controversial. We should not create pharaohs through amendments."

During the debate, Senator Aimal Wali Khan accused some lawmakers of using legislation for personal gain. "Some people are drafting laws to release thieves," he said. "It is not a question of timing but of intent—some have questionable motives."

He noted that the PTI had supported the 26th amendment during committee discussions but later opposed it. He pledged that no law would be allowed to weaken democracy or strip the provinces of their powers.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said that debate on constitutional amendments was the essence of democracy. "The PPP paid the price for boycotting the 1985 elections. The opposition, too, should play its due role in constitutional matters," she said.

Rehman referred to the Charter of Democracy, reminding that the establishment of a Constitutional Court was among its commitments.

She also stressed that state institutions should not be privatized at throwaway prices; instead, collective strategies should be adopted to strengthen the federation.

PTI Senator Faisal Javed launched a strong attack on the government, saying that a "fake-mandate government" had no right to amend the Constitution.

"The will of the people was rejected in the 2024 elections. How can this government, formed through a stolen mandate, change the Constitution?" he asked.

He said the country cannot progress until power and sovereignty rest with the people.

Referring to PTI founder Imran Khan, he said the leader who truly won the mandate is behind bars, while the ruling parties themselves admit they did not win the election.

After the extensive debate, the 27th Amendment Bill was referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice for detailed deliberation.

Earlier, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary said on Saturday that the federal cabinet has approved the draft of the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment.