The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Pakistan’s National Assembly on
Wednesday passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, introducing sweeping
changes to the country’s judicial and military structures amid a walkout by
opposition parties, Geo News reported.
According to Geo News, the bill was approved with 234 votes
in favor and four against. The legislation seeks to restructure the judiciary
by creating a new Federal Constitutional Court and defining the term of the
Chief Justice of Pakistan, while also codifying the army chief’s appointment as
Field Marshal — a move the government says will strengthen the country’s
defense command.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the amendment as a
“historic milestone,” saying it fulfilled the Charter of Democracy’s vision of
establishing a constitutional court. He emphasized that the chief justice would
continue to head the Supreme Judicial Council, the Judicial Commission, and the
Law and Justice Commission.
Foreign and regional observers say the amendment signals a
major shift in Pakistan’s civil-military balance and judicial independence —
developments closely watched in neighboring Afghanistan, where political
stability in Islamabad directly affects cross-border trade and security.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said the judiciary would
“no longer have the authority to take suo motu actions,” a controversial power
that allowed Pakistan’s top judges to intervene in political matters. He said
the reform would “end judicial overreach” and reinforce parliamentary
supremacy.
However, opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai of the
Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party denounced the amendment as “undemocratic,”
accusing the government of undermining public representation. He tore up a copy
of the bill during the session, declaring that “a parliament formed under
disputed elections has no authority to alter the Constitution.”
The PTI boycotted the vote and accused the government of
silencing dissent, while four lawmakers from JUI-F — once a coalition ally —
were the only members to vote against the bill.
Political analysts say the amendment deepens Pakistan’s
internal political rifts but may also influence Islamabad’s future policies
toward Afghanistan, particularly regarding border security and counterterrorism
coordination.
The bill will now move to the Senate for further
consideration before becoming law.
