Islamabad, Pakistan – On Thursday, President Asif Ali Zardari officially enacted the 27th Constitutional Amendment, integrating it into Pakistan’s Constitution after it was ratified by Parliament. This significant legislation brings extensive modifications to the country's judicial framework and military hierarchy.
The Constitution (Twenty-Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2025, received the President's assent on the recommendation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, having successfully passed through both the National Assembly and the Senate amidst intense discussions and opposition demonstrations.
In the Senate, the amendment garnered 64 votes in favor, exceeding the necessary two-thirds majority in the 96-member assembly, with four senators opposing it. Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gilani confirmed its passage, highlighting that the motion was adopted with the constitutionally required majority.
A day prior, the National Assembly greenlit the amendment with 234 votes for and four against, following an opposition walkout. The assembly made several important adjustments to the Senate's original proposal, including specification regarding the new Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), the ranking of the nation’s higher judiciary, and the retraction of certain oath-related measures.
Major Amendments and Highlights:
Article 6(2A): The FCC is explicitly encompassed within high treason clauses.
Article 10(4): Updated to involve the Supreme Court in oversight of preventive detention.
Oath-Related Provisions: Plans to delegate oath-administering duties from the Chief Justice of Pakistan to the Chief Justice of the FCC were abolished.
Judicial Framework: Clause 56 specifies the Chief Justice of Pakistan as “the senior among the Chief Justice of the FCC and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,” which establishes an official hierarchy among the head judges.
Incumbent Chief Justice Recognition: Clause 23 guarantees that the current Chief Justice retains the title of Chief Justice of Pakistan throughout their tenure.
The amendment, which required a two-thirds majority in the 336-member National Assembly, was strongly supported by the ruling coalition led by PML-N, alongside backing from allied parties such as PPP, MQM-P, PML-Q, among others, with only four JUI-F lawmakers opposing it.
The 27th Constitutional Amendment represents a landmark evolution in Pakistan’s legal and military landscape, reshaping the judicial framework and clarifying command structures within the armed forces. Experts suggest that these developments may have profound implications for constitutional leadership and judicial autonomy in Pakistan.
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