ISLAMABAD – The federal cabinet on Thursday approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which proposes the establishment of a seven-member Constitutional Court and the creation of a new position titled Commander of Defence Forces, marking a major step toward restructuring key constitutional and institutional frameworks.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the cabinet meeting via video link from Baku, Azerbaijan, where he is currently on an official visit.
Several senior ministers, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister of State for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik, Rana Sanaullah, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Aun Chaudhry, Shizra Mansab and Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, attended the meeting. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan were also present.
According to official sources, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar briefed the cabinet on the draft of the 27th Amendment while proposals submitted by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were also reviewed.
Sources further disclosed that the Senate session, scheduled for later today, is likely to take up the 27th Amendment Bill as a supplementary agenda item.
The bill is expected to be referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice for examination before a final vote.
The Senate session is likely to continue through Sunday, with debate on the amendment expected, and the upper house is anticipated to approve the amendment by Monday, subject to committee recommendations.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties are reportedly planning to protest during the presentation of the constitutional amendment in the Senate, expressing reservations over the proposed structural changes.
