President Asif Ali Zardari signs Constitution (27th Amendment) Bill into law

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, officially making it a part of the Constitution.

Earlier, the bill had already been approved by both the National Assembly and the Senate, with the upper house passing it by a two thirds majority.

The Senate approved the 27th Amendment with 64 votes in favor, during a session chaired by Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani. The Senate also adopted the additional clauses that were approved by the National Assembly earlier.

A day before, the National Assembly had passed the amendment with a two-thirds majority, securing 234 votes in favor 10 more than the required 224,while Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) voted against the bill.

The amendment introduces eight new clauses. One of the key changes is to Article 6, Clause 2, which now explicitly states that no act of high treason can be validated by any court.

Additionally, the words “constitutional court” have been added to Clause 2, ensuring that this court is mentioned alongside the High Courts and the Supreme Court.

Under the amendment, the current Chief Justice will continue to be referred to as the Chief Justice of Pakistan until the completion of his term.

Afterwards, the position will be held by the senior-most judge of either the Supreme Court or the Federal Constitutional Court.