Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday directed the withdrawal of a proposed clause granting immunity to the prime minister in the 27th Constitutional Amendment, emphasizing that the premier must remain “fully accountable” to both the law and the public.
Taking to X, PM Shehbaz stated that he had learned of an amendment submitted by some Senators from his party seeking immunity for the prime minister. “While I acknowledge their intent in good faith, the proposal was not part of the Cabinet-approved draft. I have instructed that it be withdrawn immediately,” he wrote.
He added, “As a matter of principle, an elected prime minister must remain fully accountable, both before the court of law and the people.” Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also confirmed that PM Shehbaz had no interest in receiving immunity due to the executive nature of his role. Tarar noted that immunity provisions for other positions in the bill do not apply to offices with executive functions.
The announcement comes as Senate and National Assembly committees continue deliberations on the 27th Amendment, which includes provisions for creating a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), revising the appointment process for high court judges, increasing the cap on provincial cabinets, and altering military leadership structures.
A controversial part of the bill proposes lifelong constitutional protection for officers promoted to five-star ranks such as field marshal, marshal of the air force, or admiral of the fleet, granting them privileges and immunity similar to those of the president under Article 248.
Article 248 stipulates that “no criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued against the president or a governor in any court during his term of office.” The cabinet approved the amendment on Saturday, after which it was tabled in the Senate, prompting protests from opposition members concerned about the scope and speed of the changes.
PM Shehbaz, elected as Pakistan’s 24th premier in 2024, remains subject to Article 95 of the Constitution, which allows the National Assembly to remove the prime minister via a no-confidence motion if at least twenty percent of members support the resolution. The withdrawal of the immunity clause signals the government’s commitment to maintaining accountability while moving forward with broader constitutional reforms.
