In a significant political development, the Pakistani legislature has enacted the 27th Amendment, representing one of the most comprehensive constitutional reforms in recent history. The bill, which garnered a two-thirds majority during a dynamic parliamentary session, was introduced by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar shortly after receiving Senate approval. The amendment proceeded despite strong opposition from Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which disrupted the proceedings and vocally objected to the changes. Ultimately, the amendment passed with 234 votes in favor and only four against. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, along with prominent political figures including PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, were present for the announcement of the results by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. The bill is now pending the approval of President Asif Ali Zardari, anticipated to occur later that evening.
Under the provisions outlined in this new law, the President will gain the authority to appoint the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Forces based on recommendations from the Prime Minister. A notable change includes the planned dissolution of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee by November 2025. The newly created Chief of Defence Forces position will be responsible for overseeing all branches of the military, thereby positioning the Army Chief as the supreme commander of Pakistan's armed forces. Additionally, this amendment empowers the government to grant lifetime honorary ranks to officers, with titles such as Field Marshal and Admiral of the Fleet.
The 27th Amendment also introduces the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court tasked with interpreting constitutional issues, while the Supreme Court will retain jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters. Law Minister Tarar characterized these reforms as part of an “evolutionary process” that involved extensive consultations with legal institutions nationwide.
However, the opposition has criticized the amendment as a move towards authoritarianism, arguing it enhances military power and undermines judicial independence. The PTI chairperson, Gohar Ali Khan, remarked that this legislation could culminate in the formation of a new elite class, cautioning that “democracy will exist only in name” if the changes are implemented as proposed. The opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), had pledged to conduct mass protests in response but has largely limited its actions to parliamentary opposition and public statements.
If signed into law, the 27th Amendment will establish a formidable military framework and may permanently alter the dynamics among civilian government, the judiciary, and the military in Pakistan.