National Assembly Approves 27th Constitutional Amendment with Two-Thirds Majority

Following the Senate, the National Assembly has also approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment with a two-thirds majority. Under the chairmanship of Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, 234 members voted in favor of the amendment, while four members of JUI opposed it. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the bill in the House after completing clause-by-clause approval, and it was passed with a significant majority. He stated that the position of Chief Justice of Pakistan will remain intact, with Justice Yahya Afridi continuing in that role, thereby removing previous ambiguities regarding the judiciary.

National Assembly Approves 27th Amendment, PM Shehbaz Hails Move as Boost to National Unity

During the voting, PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz and PPP’s Shagufta Jamani did not cast their votes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while addressing the House after the approval, said that today the Assembly has promoted national unity. He emphasized the need to move the country forward instead of indulging in abusive or disruptive politics. He added that including the honor of Field Marshal in the Constitution is a way to give respect to the nation’s heroes. Sharif also stated that he opposes anything that weakens the federation, and any changes to the 18th Amendment can only happen with consensus. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said in his address that “not even anyone’s father can abolish the 18th Amendment.” He added that the 27th Amendment aims to complete the unfinished agenda of the Charter of Democracy, establish a constitutional court, and amend Article 243. Bilawal also recalled that the 26th Amendment had been passed through consultation, with the participation of Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PTI, emphasizing that such consensus strengthens democracy.