ISLAMABAD; Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday lauded the allied parties for extending full support to the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, terming it a reflection of political unity, mutual trust, and shared commitment to national progress.
The premier made these remarks while hosting a dinner for government and coalition senators following the approval of the complete draft of the 27th Amendment by a joint parliamentary committee. The committee, comprising members of the Senate and the National Assembly’s standing committees on law and justice, gave clause-by-clause approval to 49 proposed amendments earlier in the day.
Addressing the gathering, the prime minister said that all coalition partners “stood firmly behind the government’s national approach,” adding that the spirit of cooperation among allies had strengthened the federation. “The government and all coalition partners worked together for good governance and inter-provincial harmony,” he stated.
PM Shehbaz emphasized that every achievement under the current government was the outcome of teamwork and political consensus. “Our diplomatic gains and Pakistan’s enhanced international standing reflect the unity and coordination among all partners in the coalition,” he said.
Highlighting improvements in the national economy, the premier noted that Pakistan was moving in the right direction due to political stability and responsible governance. “By the grace of Allah, Pakistan has been set on the correct path toward stability and prosperity,” he remarked, stressing that collective efforts were vital for sustainable development.
He extended gratitude to President Asif Ali Zardari and the leadership of all allied parties for their cooperation in strengthening democracy and national cohesion.
The joint committee’s session, chaired by Senator Farooq H. Naek and MNA Chaudhry Mahmood Bashir Virk, approved key amendments but faced a boycott from opposition parties including PTI, JUI-F, PkMAP, and MWM, whose members did not attend.
According to sources, the 27th Amendment draft—already endorsed by the federal cabinet—will be presented before the Senate on Monday. The proposed constitutional package includes significant reforms to Pakistan’s judicial and military command structure.
Among the major changes is the proposed replacement of the “Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee” with a new position titled “Chief of Defence Forces,” to take effect from November 27, 2025. The Chief of Army Staff will assume this role as the unified head of the armed forces.
The amendment also calls for the establishment of a “Federal Constitutional Court” with equal provincial representation, curtailing some powers of the Supreme Court, and limiting the chief justice’s term to three years. It further proposes lifetime immunity for the president from criminal proceedings.
Senator Naek confirmed that the committee had approved the basic draft but that the government sought additional time to review proposals related to renaming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and increasing Balochistan’s assembly seats. Final decisions on these matters are expected after further consultations before the bill’s presentation to Parliament.
