ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s upper house of parliament passed 27th Constitutional Amendment with 64 votes, as the ruling alliance secured the crucial two-thirds majority needed for this sweeping reform.
The amendment promises to reshape nation’s judicial structure, redefine military command authority, and alter the balance of federal-provincial revenue distribution.
To everyone’s surprise, opposition senators, PTI’s Saifullah Abro, JUI’s Malik Ahmad Khan, and BNP independent Senator Naseema Ehsan, voted in favor, paving the way for the government to secure the decisive majority.
Senator Naik, who tabled report with key modifications, revealed that amendment establishes new Constitutional Court. The parliamentary committee approved the court unanimously, with several strategic adjustments aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s legal framework.
Under proposed changes, courts from all regions will be represented, and High Courts will nominate judges to the Constitutional Court, ensuring broader judicial participation. In a significant shift, the minimum eligibility period for judges has been reduced from seven years to five, opening the doors for faster appointments.
One of the most debated provisions, the President’s lifetime immunity has also been revised. The amendment now stipulates that immunity will be temporarily suspended if the President assumes any public office and will be reinstated only after leaving that position, adding a new layer of accountability to the highest office.
This historic amendment marks a turning point in Pakistan’s governance, promising profound changes in the judicial, military, and federal structures that could reshape the country’s political landscape for decades to come.
