ISLAMABAD – Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has said that the federal government would present the 27th Constitutional Amendment after due consultation with coalition partners.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, he said that the amendments would be introduced in accordance with the Constitution.
Ishaq Dar said that the parliamentarians would discuss and share their opinions on the proposed amendments before referral to the relevant committee.
He assured that the amendments would not be rushed through the Parliament. He said that the government was discussing the issue with the PPP, adding that an agreement has been reached and the other coalition partners would be approached for feedback.
He said that the final draft would be presented before the House after taking other allied parties, including the MQM-Pakistan, ANP, and the BAP, into confidence.
Clarifying the origin of the proposed amendments, he said that it was initiative of the government’s initiative. “It is not landing by parachute from anywhere,” he said, adding that the government would continue consultations with partners and legal forums before moving forward with the amendment.
He said the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition was the responsibility of the Senate chairman, and the government had no objection or obstruction in this regard.
The proposed amendments included the establishment of a Constitutional Court and revision of the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. This tweak also sought to amend Article 243 — which pertains to the supreme command of the armed forces — as well as several other key constitutional adjustments.
Other proposals included the introduction of executive magistrates, provisions for the transfer of judges, and the removal of protections related to provincial shares in the NFC Award.
