Govt to introduce 27th Amendment soon after coalition consensus: DPM Dar

Islamabad (Web Desk): Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday that the federal government would table the 27th Constitutional Amendment only after comprehensive consultations with its coalition partners and in full compliance with the Constitution.

He confirmed that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had already reached out to its main ally, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), to secure support for the proposed changes, which include the creation of a Constitutional Court and adjustments to the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.

According to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the amendment also seeks to revise Article 243, which deals with the supreme command of the armed forces, along with several other key constitutional provisions.

The proposed reforms further include reinstating executive magistrates, modifying rules for the transfer of judges, and removing certain protections related to provincial shares in the NFC Award.

Speaking in the Senate, Dar confirmed that the government was actively working on the amendment and assured that it would be introduced through proper constitutional channels.

He stressed that lawmakers would be given ample opportunity to discuss and debate the proposed changes before the draft is referred to the relevant committee.

The deputy prime minister also assured that the process would not be rushed, promising that no amendment would be passed hastily.

Dar said that discussions were underway with the PPP and that other coalition partners — including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Awami National Party (ANP), and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) — would also be consulted before finalising the draft. He reaffirmed that the final document would be presented before Parliament once consensus was achieved among all allies.

Commenting on Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s recent remarks, Dar said that it was his right to share his views and that his observations were valid and had been addressed during consultations. He added that both the government and the PPP had reached an understanding and were now focused on bringing other coalition partners on board.

The deputy prime minister directed the law minister to table the proposed amendment in the Senate and send it to the concerned committee for review. He also recommended that the Senate chairman invite the National Assembly’s law and justice committee to participate in the deliberations to ensure wider consultation.

Clarifying the background of the amendment, Dar dismissed speculation about external influence, saying the proposal was entirely a government initiative and not something introduced from outside. He reiterated that the government would continue to engage with coalition partners and legal experts before taking any final steps.

Regarding the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Dar noted that it was solely the prerogative of the Senate chairman, decided within his chamber, and emphasised that the government had neither any role nor objection in this matter.