The Minister of Justice affirms that all parties were consulted; The opposition protests against the lack of transparency; Cabinet approves bill
Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the 27th Amendment Bill (to the Constitution) in the Senate on Thursday, triggering a heated debate between the Treasury and Opposition benches soon after its presentation.
Presenting the bill, the minister said the bill was prepared after consultation with all political parties. He said discussions regarding the 27th Amendment had been going on for several days and the federal cabinet had given its formal approval earlier in the day.
He said the proposed legislation included provisions giving the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) the power to transfer judges between high courts and expand the size of provincial cabinets.
The minister further announced that the post of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee would be abolished from November 27. “From now on, the Chief of Army Staff will also perform the functions of the Chief of Defense Forces,” he added.
Tarar also informed the House that the Prime Minister, in consultation with the Army Chief, would appoint the head of the National Command.
“The nation has conferred the honorary rank of marshal on the head of the army, and henceforth the titles of marshal, marshal of the fleet, and marshal of the air force will be honors for life.”
However, the minister clarified that the power to withdraw such titles would rest with a joint session of Parliament. After the bill was presented, Question Hour was suspended on the proposal of the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and approved by the House.
The bill was then referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice, in which members of the corresponding committee of the National Assembly will also be invited to participate. The joint session will be co-chaired by the chairs of the two committees.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, addressing the Senate, said the standing committee would hold a detailed discussion on the proposed amendment.
He stressed that the appointment of the opposition leader was the constitutional prerogative of the Senate President, adding that “the matter is now in your hands, Mr. President, 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 received the draft beforehand.
PTI Senator Ali Zafar also expressed his concern, saying, “We have not even read the text of the 27th Amendment yet. The opposition should not be sidelined.”
Senator Raja Nasir Abbas further criticized the proposal to abolish the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, arguing: “This post exists all over the world, but in Pakistan it is being abolished 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 the legislation for personal gain. “Some people write laws to free thieves,” he said. “It is not a question of timing but of intention: some have questionable motivations.”
He noted that the PTI had supported the 26th Amendment during committee discussions but later opposed it. He promised that no law could weaken democracy or strip the provinces of their powers.
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said debate on constitutional amendments was the essence of democracy. “The PPP paid the price for boycotting the 1985 elections. The opposition must also play its due role in constitutional matters,” she said.
Rehman mentioned the Charter of Democracy, recalling that the creation of a Constitutional Court was part of his commitments.
She also stressed that public institutions should not be privatized at throwaway prices; rather, collective strategies should be adopted to strengthen the federation.
PTI Senator Faisal Javed launched a scathing attack on the government, saying a “government with a false mandate” had no right to amend the Constitution.
“The will of the people was rejected in the 2024 elections. How can this government, formed thanks to a stolen mandate, change the Constitution?” he asked.
He said the country cannot progress until power and sovereignty return to the people.
Referring to PTI founder Imran Khan, he said the leader who actually won the mandate is behind bars, while the ruling parties themselves admit that they did not win the elections.
After 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 on Saturday said the federal cabinet had approved the draft of the proposed 27th constitutional amendment.
