ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (APP): The National Assembly on Wednesday passed the Constitutional Amendment Bill (Twenty-Seventh Amendment Bill, 2025) with a two-third majority, securing 234 votes in favor, while four members voted against it.
Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the bill to further amend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan [The Constitution (Twenty-Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2025].
The constitutional amendment bill was passed through clause-by-clause voting, with Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq reading out each clause for approval.
Earlier, clause-by-clause voting was carried out to pass 59 clauses of the amendment. Later, voting by division was conducted, during which the entry and exit gates of the House were closed as per parliamentary protocol.
Bells were rung for five minutes for members’ exit from the house and for two minutes to mark their return to the house.
The bill comprised 59 clauses, all of which were approved by the National Assembly with a two-third majority.
Meanwhile, opposition members, except those from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), boycotted the proceedings of the House.
As per the new provisions, the Chief of Army Staff will assume the role of Chief of Defence Forces. The titles of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet will remain for life. A Federal Constitutional Court will be established with equal provincial representation.
The President and Prime Minister will play key roles in judicial appointments, while some powers of the Supreme Court will be transferred to the new court.
Similarly, the Judicial Commission will decide on the transfer of High Court judges, and any objections to such transfers will be reviewed by the Supreme Judicial Council.
The eligibility period for High Court judges for appointment to the Federal Constitutional Court has been reduced from seven to five years.
The seniority of sitting Supreme Court judges appointed to the new court will remain intact, while seniority among new appointees from the Bar or High Courts will be determined by age.
The Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) has been expanded to include, in addition to a woman or non-Muslim member, a technocrat nominated by the Speaker of the National Assembly, qualified to become a member of Parliament, ensuring broader merit-based representation.
The suo motu powers will now be exercised by the Federal Constitutional Court upon written application and after the court’s satisfaction that constitutional grounds exist for intervention, ensuring transparency and judicial restraint.
The amendment extends the stay order period in revenue and taxation cases from six months to one year. If a case remains undecided beyond that period, the stay will automatically stand vacated, enabling timely recovery of public revenue.
On the transfer of judges, the bill authorizes the Judicial Commission of Pakistan to process inter-court transfers. If a judge decline transfer without valid reason, the matter will be referred to the Supreme Judicial Council for a hearing before any decision is made.
The presidential immunity clause has been confined to the tenure of office only and will not apply if a former President assumes a public position after completing the term.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari are also attended the proceeding.
Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar congratulated the members on the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment.