Clause in 27th amendment grants lifetime immunity to president

Islamabad (Web Desk): A new clause has been incorporated into the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which grants the President of Pakistan lifetime immunity from legal proceedings and arrest. The amendment to Article 248 was added following a request by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Sources confirmed that the amendment ensures that the president will be shielded from legal action or punishment during and after their term in office. The change, which was pushed by PPP members during a joint parliamentary committee meeting, is now part of the draft of the 27th Amendment.

At the same time, government senators Anusha Rahman and Khalil Tahir Sandhu have proposed a constitutional amendment in the Senate aimed at extending the same immunity granted to the president under Article 248 to the prime minister as well. If passed, this amendment would prevent any criminal proceedings against the prime minister during their time in office.

The amendment seeks to align the prime minister’s immunity with that of the president, ensuring that the prime minister is also protected from legal prosecution while holding office.

Senator Anusha Rahman explained that the amendment is necessary to allow prime ministers to perform their duties without the distraction of legal challenges. Senator Khalil Tahir Sandhu added that the proposed change is intended to avoid disruptions in governance caused by legal entanglements, thus ensuring smooth decision-making and continuity in government operations.

Further debate on the amendment is expected in the Senate, with final voting scheduled after approval from the relevant committee.

Earlier, the 27th Constitutional Amendment bill was presented in the Senate and referred to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, shortly after the federal cabinet approved its draft. The Senate session began with a delay, and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar requested the suspension of the question hour to brief senators on the proposed amendments.

In related news, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) staged a walkout from the first meeting of the joint parliamentary standing committee, which was convened to discuss the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment bill.