Islamabad: The federal cabinet on Saturday approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The brief session was chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif via video link from Baku, Azerbaijan, where he is on an official visit with Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan briefed the cabinet on the proposed amendment, while members reviewed recommendations submitted by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). After careful consideration, the cabinet gave formal approval to the amendment, which had been postponed earlier due to objections from the PPP on several major proposals.
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A key feature of the amendment is the creation of a new post, Commander of Defence Forces, under Article 243 of the Constitution. The position is designed to ensure greater coordination and unified command among Pakistan’s three armed forces.
Another major provision is the formation of a Constitutional Court to exclusively handle constitutional matters. The court will initially have seven judges, with a retirement age of 68 years. Sources indicate that Justice Aminuddin Khan is likely to be appointed as its head. Discussions on the court’s location are ongoing, with options including the Islamabad High Court or the Federal Shariat Court building.
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The amendment is expected to speed up constitutional adjudications and reduce the Supreme Court’s workload, reflecting the government’s efforts to strengthen governance and judicial efficiency.