The proposals include the creation of a constitutional court, changes to Article 160(3)(A), Article 243 on maps.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari speaks to the press during a press conference at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, June 3, 2025.
ISLAMABAD:
The federal government has initiated the process of the 27th constitutional amendment, proposing significant changes to various articles of the Constitution, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari revealed on Monday.
His statement followed a recent meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which triggered an intense debate in the country’s political circles, where the proposed constitutional changes have become the center of national attention.
Bilawal’s post on
According to Bilawal, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) delegation, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz, met him and President Asif Zardari in the presidency to seek PPP’s support for the amendment.
The PPP chairman later made details of the meeting public, confirming that his party had been asked to support the 27th Amendment. He, however, added that his party would decide the issue at the Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting.
Bilawal revealed that the proposed legislation includes the establishment of a constitutional court, restoration of the executive magistrate system and granting the federal government the power to transfer judges.
It also seeks to end the constitutional protection of provincial shares in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, amend Article 243, return education and population planning to federal control and make appointments to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Posting on
“The proposal includes: the creation of a Constitutional Court, executive magistrates, transfer of judges, removal of protection of the provincial share in the NFC, modification of article 243, return of education and population planning to the federation and breaking the deadlock on the appointment of the ECP,” he wrote.
The PPP chairman said he had convened a meeting of the party’s CEC at Bilawal House, Karachi, on November 6, after President Zardari’s return from Doha, to finalize the party’s stand on the amendment.
Meanwhile, details of the project shared by the government with the PPP have been revealed. Sources said the government was seeking to amend clause 3A of Article 160, in addition to Articles 213, 243, 191A and 200. Under the proposal, the constitutional guarantee of provincial shares in federal revenue under Article 160(3)A would be abolished.
The bill also includes a major restructuring of the judicial system, with the insertion of a new Article 191A proposing the creation of a constitutional court – or supreme constitutional court – which would assume authority over the interpretation of the Constitution. Amendments to Article 200 regarding transfer of high court judges are also part of the proposal.
Other suggested changes include returning education and population planning to federal control, while amendments to Section 243 would ensure that command of the armed forces rests entirely with the federal government. Section 213 would also be revised to amend the process of appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner.
According to inside sources, the Federal Government has officially handed over the draft of the 27th Amendment to the PPP, seeking its approval for adoption by Parliament. In this regard, both houses of Parliament were convened.
Following the President’s approval, official notifications were issued. Accordingly, the Senate session is scheduled for Tuesday (today) at 4 p.m., while the National Assembly will meet on Wednesday (tomorrow) at 5 p.m.
In anticipation of the critical deliberations, political parties have asked all their members to ensure full participation. Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq convened an important consultative meeting of parliamentary party leaders an hour before the session.
The purpose of the meeting is to seek the views of parliamentary leaders on the deliberations of the 21st session of the National Assembly, including preparation of the agenda, duration of the session and issues related to maintaining order in the House.
During the meeting, parliamentary leaders will also exchange views on major national issues, legislation and matters of public interest likely to be discussed in the House.
Those invited include Vice President Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah; federal ministers Azam Nazeer Tarar, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Attaullah Tarar, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Khalid Hussain Magsi.
Assembly members Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, Nuzhat Sadiq, Ejaz Jakhrani, Syed Naveed Qamar, Shazia Marri, Shehla Raza, Aminul Haque, Syed Hafeezuddin, Asad Qaiser, Gohar Ali Khan, Amir Dogar, Riaz Fatyana, Noor Alam Khan, Gul Asghar, Ejazul Haq and Hussain Elahi will also attend the discussion.
The 27th constitutional amendment follows the controversial 26th Amendment, passed in October last year, which introduced broad reforms granting Parliament and the executive greater control over judicial appointments and evaluations.
