The federal cabinet on Saturday approved the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, marking a significant step in the government’s plan to bring judicial and parliamentary reforms.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar confirmed that the bill will be presented in the Senate today, after which it will be referred to a joint parliamentary committee for further deliberation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the cabinet meeting via video link from Baku, where he consulted allied political parties, including the PPP, MQM, Pakistan Muslim League, IPP, BAP, Awami National Party, National Party, and PML-Z.
According to Law Minister Tarar, consensus has been reached among coalition partners to establish a separate Constitutional Court, a proposal rooted in the Charter of Democracy. The government plans to introduce this proposal in parliament as part of the amendment bill, allowing lawmakers to debate and finalize the details.
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Tarar said the government and its allies are fully aligned on the need to strengthen constitutional institutions and ensure that the decision-making process is transparent and independent.
Judicial transfers to be made more transparent
In response to recent debates over the transfer of judges, the law minister explained that the role of the executive will be reduced, and the Judicial Commission will now oversee such transfers.
He added that consultations will include the chief justices of both the high courts -- from which and to which a judge is being transferred -- making the process more transparent and participatory. This, Tarar noted, aims to remove ambiguities and strengthen confidence in the judiciary’s independence.
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The amendment also seeks to address procedural challenges in the Senate’s electoral process. Referring to the delayed Senate elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which were postponed for over a year due to legal proceedings, Tarar said the changes will ensure timely elections for the chairman and deputy chairman of the Senate, which are constitutionally mandated to occur every three years.
He clarified that newly elected Senate members after a delay will be considered part of the previous term, ensuring continuity and avoiding legislative disruption.
Cabinet representation and provincial share
The proposed amendment also includes changes to cabinet composition. Tarar announced that the provincial share in the federal cabinet will increase from 11 to 13%, while the number of advisers will rise from five to seven.
In addition, the MQM’s proposed bill on local government elections and a bill to increase seats in the Balochistan Assembly will also be taken up for consideration.
Call for stability
Tarar emphasized that the government’s approach is guided by the need for political stability and harmony. He said all allied and opposition parties will have the opportunity to debate and discuss the bill in parliament.
The minister highlighted that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had already expressed his support for presenting only those amendments that enjoy broad consensus. “Bilawal Bhutto said that now bring something in parliament that is agreed upon — that’s why other matters were postponed,” Tarar noted.
He reiterated that the government’s focus is on building unity and institutional balance through dialogue and parliamentary consensus.
