The standing committees on law and justice of both the National Assembly and Senate convened a joint session on Sunday to continue deliberations on the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment bill. The bill, tabled in the Senate on Saturday after federal cabinet approval, proposes the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), reforms in the appointment […]
27th Amendment
Parliament clears most clauses of 27th amendment
ISLAMABAD: The joint standing committees of the National Assembly and Senate on law and justice on Saturday cleared nearly 80 per cent of the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, including the majority of clauses related to the judicial reforms package. Deliberations on the field marshal’s status under Article 243 were deferred to Sunday. The session, […]
Government’s 27th Amendment plan sparks debate over new constitutional court
ISLAMABAD: The initial draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, presented in the Senate on Saturday, has ignited intense debate within Pakistan’s legal and political circles. Legal experts warn that the proposed changes could effectively dethrone the Supreme Court as the country’s highest judicial authority, transferring that status to a newly proposed Federal Constitutional Court […]
Bill for 27th Amendment lands in Senate
On the demand of the PPP, the draft of the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment includes a provision granting the president lifetime immunity from prosecution and arrest, ensuring that no case can be filed against the president during or after their tenure. Sources said the clause was added following a demand by the Pakistan Peoples Party […]
Fazl confers with Zardari on draft of 27th Amendment
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman held an important meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at Bilawal House in Karachi on Saturday. According to PPP sources, the JUI-F leader arrived at Bilawal House along with a delegation to discuss matters related to the proposed 27th […]
Lawyers warn 27th Amendment threatens judicial independence in Pakistan
The Pakistani government’s proposed 27th Amendment has sparked intense debate in Islamabad, with legal experts warning it could fundamentally reshape the country’s judiciary. The amendment proposes the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) with sweeping powers over the Supreme Court (SC) and all lower courts, including authority over constitutional disputes, fundamental rights, and writ […]
Supreme Court questions proposed constitutional court
ISLAMABAD: Even before the 27th Constitutional Amendment has been formally unveiled, its effects are already rippling through Pakistan’s judicial corridors. On Friday, the proposed amendment came under challenge in the Supreme Court, while a wave of administrative activity hinted at preparations for the establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) — a key element said […]
Government gets shot in the arm from key ally over 27th Amendment
Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the party would support amendments to Article 243. Addressing the media following the conclusion of the CEC meeting, Bilawal said the the party “agrees in principle with the idea that constitutional courts should be formed”. “In the 27th Amendment, the amendment to (article) 243 must be accepted.” […]
Cabinet delays meeting on 27th Amendment draft
The federal cabinet meeting scheduled for Friday to approve the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment was postponed after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) – a key coalition partner initially rejected major proposals included in the amendment package. However, the PPP has now given approval to major clauses mentioned in the initial draft after the […]
Speculation about 27th Amendment results in plea landing in SC
A petition was filed in the SC on Friday to challenge the “attempts to do away with the constitutional jurisdiction of the superior judiciary”, apparently by means of a 27th Constitutional Amendment. “The said proposal, as publicly reported, contemplates the establishment of separate ‘Constitutional Courts’ and the curtailment or transfer of the existing jurisdiction of […]