Islamabad | November 10, 2025 — In a moment that may reshape Pakistan’s judicial and defense landscape, the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill passed the Senate on Monday with a two-thirds majority, securing 64 votes in favor. The landmark approval, achieved after intense debate and visible tension in the upper house, was hailed by the government as a “turning point for governance and federal unity.”
The session, chaired by Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, began amid loud protests from opposition benches. Lawmakers shouted slogans, tore up copies of the bill, and staged a dramatic walkout. But the government benches remained steady. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, who presented the amendment, stayed composed as each clause was read, debated, and ultimately voted through — a process that underscored both parliamentary resilience and political divide.
“This is not about power; it’s about progress,” Tarar said, insisting the amendment would “modernize the Constitution without undermining its spirit.”
A New Federal Constitutional Court
At the heart of the amendment lies the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) — a new institution meant to handle constitutional matters and ease the Supreme Court’s growing caseload, which now exceeds 50,000 pending cases. The FCC will include judges from all provinces, as well as one from the Islamabad High Court, ensuring a fair balance of regional representation.
“The Supreme Court is overburdened. The FCC will allow it to focus on appeals and restore judicial efficiency,” said PPP Senator Farooq H. Naek, who chaired the joint parliamentary committee that fine-tuned the bill.
Under the new law, judges will be eligible for FCC appointments after five years of high court service (down from seven). The FCC’s suo motu powers — once a point of controversy — are now limited to cases initiated through formal petitions, a measure lawmakers said would promote accountability and prevent arbitrary interventions.
The amendment also streamlines judicial transfers, giving oversight to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP), and introduces an automatic one-year expiry on unresolved stay orders related to revenue cases — a move expected to clear a backlog of millions of cases.
Military Command and Federal Balance
Beyond judicial reform, the amendment also updates Article 243, formally creating the role of Chief of Defence Forces, to be assumed by the current Chief of Army Staff later this year. Lifetime honorary ranks for senior military figures — such as Field Marshal or Admiral of the Fleet — will remain symbolic titles of national honor.
Supporters said the change strengthens the military command structure and recognizes “the dignity of service and sacrifice.”
Heated Debate, Narrow Passage
The road to passage was far from smooth. Opposition senators denounced the bill as a “constitutional overreach,” accusing the government of rushing through changes without consensus. PTI Senator Ali Zafar called the vote a “constitutional assault,” warning of potential court challenges and nationwide protests.
In contrast, coalition senators celebrated the outcome. PML-N’s Agha Shahzaib Durrani called the FCC “a necessary reform, not a power grab.” MQM-P’s Faisal Subzwari urged that reforms should lead to “real relief for citizens, not just institutional reshuffling.”
Despite the uproar, the final vote went decisively in the government’s favor — even winning support from PTI-backed Senator Saifullah Abro and JUI-F’s Ahmed Khan.
Coalition Confidence and Next Steps
Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said the victory reflected “unity and maturity” within the coalition, which commands 65 of the Senate’s 96 seats. He added that the new system aligns Pakistan with other modern democracies that operate constitutional courts.
“This is part of the Charter of Democracy’s vision,” Tarar said. “It strengthens federalism, improves justice, and maintains accountability. No one is above the law — not even the president.”
The bill now heads to the National Assembly, where the government’s majority is expected to ensure smooth passage. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar called the Senate’s approval a “shared success” that reinforces “trust between provinces and the federation.”
The Bigger Picture
While critics warn of “too much too soon,” supporters see the 27th Amendment as an evolution of Pakistan’s governance model — one that promises to lighten the Supreme Court’s burden, enhance provincial inclusion, and modernize the defense framework for the challenges ahead.
As the Senate adjourned following the vote, the atmosphere mixed triumph and tension — a reminder that in Pakistan’s democracy, progress rarely comes quietly, but it comes nonetheless.
