NA Passes 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill Amid Chaos and Protests

Islamabad, November 13: The National Assembly on Wednesday passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill amid raucous scenes, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in attendance. The bill, already cleared by the Senate earlier this week, will now return to the upper house for review of the latest changes before final approval.

The landmark legislation, passed through both division and clause-by-clause voting, received 234 votes in favour and four against. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, who presented the bill, confirmed that it aimed to clarify the continuity of the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s (CJP) position and formally establish a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). Speaker Ayaz Sadiq presided over the tense session, frequently calling for order as opposition members from the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) shouted slogans, tore copies of the bill, and staged a walkout.

Key Amendments

The 27th Amendment introduces several major constitutional changes. It adds the Federal Constitutional Court to the list of courts barred from validating acts of high treason under Article 6, clarifies that the current CJP will retain his title during his tenure, and redefines the CJP to mean the senior-most judge among the chief justices of the Supreme Court and the FCC.

PM Shehbaz Hails Passage, Stresses Unity

Addressing the Assembly after the bill’s passage, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded lawmakers for demonstrating “solidarity and national unity.” He paid tribute to late PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui, describing him as the “teacher of teachers,” and condemned recent terrorist attacks in Wana and Islamabad. The premier linked the incidents to cross-border militancy, reiterating his claims of terrorist involvement from Afghanistan and alleged Indian support.

“We have given a befitting response before and will do so again,” he warned, urging the Afghan Taliban to rein in militant groups operating from their territory. Shehbaz added that Pakistan’s recent military operations and diplomatic outreach had elevated the country’s global standing, asserting that the creation of the FCC marked “the peak of the Charter of Democracy.”

PTI Denounces Bill as ‘End of Judicial Independence’

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan denounced the bill as an assault on democracy and the judiciary, accusing the government of rushing through “draconian amendments.” He argued that the new provisions would create “musical chairs” within the judiciary, with alternating chief justices from the Supreme Court and FCC. “By rushing these amendments, you have sunk the ship of democracy and judicial independence,” he declared, pledging to repeal the changes if his party regained a parliamentary majority.

You May Like To Read: All Students, Teachers Safely Evacuated from Cadet College Wana; Clearance Operation Underway

Protests and Chaos in the House

Tensions flared as opposition members chanted slogans in support of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan and hurled torn copies of the bill toward the treasury benches. PML-N lawmakers formed a protective cordon around the prime minister and Nawaz Sharif. Despite the uproar, the government proceeded with voting as opposition MPs walked out.

The law minister defended the bill, saying it removed “ambiguities” regarding the continuity of the chief justice’s office and reinforced constitutional protections against extra-judicial legitimisation of treason.

Bilawal Defends PPP Support, Calls for Consensus

In a fiery yet composed address, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said his party supported the amendment in the “context of war and national security.” He condemned terrorism and emphasised the need for political unity in confronting militancy. “We defeated India in May; now we must unite to defeat extremism again,” he said.

Bilawal highlighted that the FCC’s creation fulfilled a long-delayed commitment from the Charter of Democracy. He added that the PPP backed amendments to Article 243—which deals with the command of the armed forces—given the “war-like situation” and to provide constitutional protection to the newly created rank of field marshal.

However, he acknowledged that the amendment lacked the “broad consensus” that had characterised the 1973 Constitution and the 18th Amendment. He urged dialogue with the opposition to bridge political divides, warning against any attempt to roll back provincial autonomy. “The 18th Amendment buried the politics of separation; do not empower separatists by reversing it,” he cautioned.

PPP’s Nafisa Shah Defends Role, Rejects Provincial Rollback

PPP MNA Nafisa Shah defended her party’s role in shaping the legislation, noting that the PPP had successfully resisted proposals to alter the National Finance Commission (NFC) award and limit provincial autonomy. “Article 163-A, which would have reduced the provinces’ share in the NFC, is not part of this bill because the PPP refused to accept it,” she stated. She added that her party also blocked provisions concerning dual nationality and excessive executive powers.

On the establishment of the FCC, Shah said it aimed to prevent the judiciary from invoking the “doctrine of necessity” used in the past to legitimise coups and dismiss elected governments. “We want a judiciary that upholds constitutional rule, not one that rationalises unconstitutional actions,” she said.

Government, Opposition Clash Over Political Legitimacy

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar lambasted the PTI for “selective morality,” accusing the party of hypocrisy for decrying “fascism” while ignoring its own past constitutional violations. He said the 27th Amendment had been debated for years under the Charter of Democracy and was not being passed in haste. “This amendment strengthens governance, defence, and justice,” he said.

Tarar also criticised opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai, who in his earlier address accused the government of “stealing the mandate” and undermining democracy. Achakzai alleged widespread electoral manipulation and urged reconciliation between political forces.

Next Steps and Nationwide Protests

The bill now returns to the Senate for approval of the newly added clauses. Once passed, it will be sent to President Asif Ali Zardari for assent. Meanwhile, the opposition alliance, Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan, has announced a nationwide protest campaign against what it calls an “extremely dark and dangerous” amendment.

Legal experts and former judges have also raised concerns, warning that the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court could weaken the Supreme Court’s authority and alter Pakistan’s judicial balance.

Despite criticism, government leaders hailed the passage as a milestone for democratic reform. PM Shehbaz thanked coalition partners and said the amendment would “fortify the Constitution and strengthen the federation.”

With tensions high inside and outside Parliament, the fate of the 27th Amendment now hinges on Senate deliberations—amid a nation deeply divided over its constitutional and political future.

You May Also Like: Pakistan in ‘State of War’, Says Defence Minister Asif After Islamabad Blast