Pakistan – The Pakistani government announced on Saturday its approval of the 27th constitutional amendment bill, which is scheduled to be submitted to the Senate today for discussion.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar explained that the project includes the establishment of a federal constitutional court, the regulation of the transfer of judges, and the amendment of Article 243 relating to the powers of the armed forces, in addition to some amendments relating to the rights of the provinces and their seats in the regional councils.
Despite the government’s welcome, the amendments are facing criticism from some political parties and lawyers, who described them as an attempt to reduce the powers granted to the regions under the 18th constitutional amendment.
The government confirmed that the amendments will only be approved after the consent of two-thirds of the members of parliament, while the opposition parties continue to discuss the bill’s provisions before voting on it.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif chaired a cabinet meeting via video conference from Azerbaijan, where it was agreed to refer the project to a joint committee for further consultations before submitting it to parliament.
