Islamabad: A crucial stage has been reached in Pakistan’s constitutional journey, as the Federal Cabinet has formally stamped its approval on the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment. With this key endorsement, the consequential bill is now set for submission to the Senate, the country’s upper legislative chamber.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the Cabinet meeting remotely via video link from Azerbaijan. The session saw the participation of senior officials, including the Ministers of Defence, Law, and the Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar briefed the Cabinet on the amendment’s scope, which included a review of proposals submitted by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a major component of the ruling coalition.
Sources suggest that the Senate is scheduled to convene today, and there is a high probability that the amendment’s draft will be introduced as a supplementary item on the agenda. It is widely expected that the bill will be immediately referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice. The session is likely to continue through Sunday to allow senators sufficient time for thorough deliberation, with final approval from the Senate anticipated by Monday.
However, political tension remains high. Government sources indicate that the tabling of the bill could be met with strong protests and walkouts from opposition parties, reflecting the deep divisions within the country’s parliamentary landscape regarding such sweeping constitutional changes.
