NA passes ‘The Constitution (27th Amendment) Bill 2025’

Islamabad:

The National Assembly has passed the Constitution (Twenty-seventh Amendment) bill, 2025, envisaging the establishment of federal constitutional court with equal provincial representation.

The constitutional amendment comprising fifty nine clauses was moved by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.

Two hundred and thirty four members voted in favour of the bill, which is not less than the two-thirds of the total membership of the House.

As per the amendment, the federal constitutional court will hear cases relating to constitutional matters and interpretation of the constitution. The permanent seat of the Federal Constitutional Court shall be at Islamabad.

According to the constitutional amendment, the president may transfer a judge of a high court from one high court to another high court on the recommendations of and on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. For this purpose, the chief justices of both high courts shall also be members of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.

As per the amendment, the President shall, on advice of the Prime Minister, appoint the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently, the Chief of the Defense Forces.  The appointment of the chief of air staff and chief of naval staff will be made on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee shall stand abolished with effect from the twenty-seventh day of November 2025.

The Prime Minister shall, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces, appoint the Commander of the National Strategic Command from the members of Pakistan Army and shall also determine his salaries and allowances.

Where the Federal Government promotes a member of the Armed Forces to the rank of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force or Admiral of the Fleet, such officer shall retain the rank, privileges and remain in uniform for life.

Upon completion of the term of his command, under the law, the Federal Government shall determine the responsibilities and duties of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force or Admiral of the Fleet in the interest of the State.

According to the constitutional amendment, no criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be initiated or continued against the president for his life and for a governor during his term of office in any court. These provisions shall not be applicable during the period the President holds a public office after he ceases to be the President.

Earlier, the process of approving the 27th Constitutional Amendment clause by clause in the National Assembly has been completed, with all 59 clauses being approved.

The session of the National Assembly, chaired by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, is ongoing, during which Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the motion for the 27th Constitutional Amendment. He stated that the outlines of the amendment had already been presented in the Senate, and that amending laws and the Constitution is an evolving process.

He further affirmed that Justice Yahya Afridi will remain the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Following this, a clause-by-clause vote was conducted on the 27th Constitutional Amendment, and all 59 clauses were approved. A total of 233 members voted in favor, while 4 votes were cast in opposition.

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam voted in opposition.

There are 233 members on the government benches, and the government needed the support of 224 members to pass the amendment.

The government's position in securing the constitutional amendment in the National Assembly remains strong.