ISLAMABAD: A Senate session has been convened to deliberate on the parliamentary committees’ report concerning the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill. The meeting has been presided over by Manzoor Ahmed. The amendment, proposing major changes to the judicial system and military command structure, has been presented amid opposition protests.
Key Provisions of the Amendment Outlined
The bill includes the establishment of a federal constitutional court, lifetime status for the field marshal rank, and permanent immunity for the president. According to the Senate Secretariat, the orders of the day for November 10 feature this legislation as a key agenda item.
Report and Legislative Process Detailed
Following the recitation, Senator Farooq H. Naek, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, has been tasked with presenting the committee’s report on the amendment. Agenda items 44 and 45 have been reserved for moving the bill forward for immediate consideration and passage. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar will move the bill for approval.
Committee Endorsement and Adjustments Confirmed
Senator Naek has confirmed that the basic draft of the amendment has been approved, with adjustments made after incorporating new suggestions. The committee has authorised him and the law minister to finalise the remaining clauses. The session was attended by several senators and officials, including representatives from the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Opposition Boycott and Party Reservations Reported
Opposition parties, including PTI, JUI-F, PkMAP, and MWM, have boycotted the meeting. Committee members have expressed regret over the boycott, stressing that opposition participation was vital to the constitutional process. The Awami National Party has expressed reservations about the draft and deferred its proposal to rename Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Similarly, the Balochistan Awami Party’s proposal for increasing provincial seats has been postponed for further discussion.
Amendments to Article 243 Approved
The committee has approved changes to Article 243, endorsing the formation of constitutional courts. Additionally, the period for adjudicating pending cases has been extended from six months to one year. Any case not pursued within that time will be deemed disposed of.
Also reach this important news:
Senate-NA committee approves 27th amendment draft
The joint parliamentary committee of the Senate and National Assembly has granted clause-by-clause approval to the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The approval covers 49 amendments, focusing on judicial reforms, the formation of a Federal Constitutional Court, and changes to the appointment process for the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
The proposed amendment is expected to be presented for approval in the Senate session scheduled for tomorrow.
Key Provisions for Judiciary
The draft outlines significant changes in judicial procedures:
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High Court Transfers: The President, on the Judicial Commission’s recommendation, can transfer high court judges.
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Restrictions: Chief justices cannot be transferred, and judges senior to a high court chief justice retain their positions.
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Refusal of Transfer: Judges declining transfers or appointments to the Federal Constitutional Court will be considered retired with pension benefits.
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Federal Constitutional Court: The amendment proposes a seven-member court, replacing multiple references to the Supreme Court. The Chief Justice will serve a three-year term, and judges must have at least 20 years of legal experience.
