Islamabad: Federal Cabinet has approved draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presided over the meeting of Federal Cabinet through video link from Baku.
The Prime Minister thanked the leadership of coalition partners and appreciated cabinet members.
Speaking at cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister also appreciated Ministry of Law and Justice, the Attorney General and his team and said that all stakeholders made efforts for the 27th amendment to strengthen relationship between federation and provinces.
The law minister said the cabinet also discussed proposals from political parties, including the Balochistan Awami Party's request for additional provincial seats and the MQM-P's local government bill.
The premier said that he consulted former PM Nawaz Sharif and expressed gratitude for his guidance. PM Shehbaz Shehbaz said that he also consulted President Asif Ali Zardari and appreciated his support for the amendment.
The prime minister thanked all coalition party leaders, including Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Abdul Aleem Khan, Khalid Hussain Magsi, and Chaudhry Salik Hussain, for their personal engagement and full support of the draft.
He further said consultations were held with other political leaders, including Amil Wali Khan and Ijazul Haq.
The premier added that the country's political and economic stability has set it on the right path and urged all stakeholders to work together for national development and prosperity.
Federal Law Minister Senator Chaudhry Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment will be tabled in the Senate today after the federal cabinet approved the draft.
Talking to the media in Islamabad shortly after the cabinet meeting on Saturday, Tarar said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired federal cabinet meeting from Baku to discuss key reforms under the proposed 27th Amendment. '[The] government will present the 27th Amendment bill in the Senate today,' he said.
Azam Nazeer Tarar said: 'Prime minister consulted with allies to ensure broad support for the legislation,' he said, adding that a consensus was reached on the establishment of the new federal constitutional court. The law minister further said the transfer of judges will be entrusted to the Judicial Commission, in line with the proposed reforms.
'There have been many objections to judges' transfers. Transfers will be entrusted to the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. If a judge wishes to move from one high court to another, both chief justices of the concerned courts will be part of the committee.'
He further added: "The position of Field Marshal was not included in the Constitution in this way. It is both a rank and a ceremonial honour. Amendments regarding command will also be presented in Parliament.'
Talking about Article 243, Tarar said: 'Recent Pakistan-India tensions have taught us many lessons. The nature and strategy of war have completely changed. Appointment procedures and some positions were previously in the Army Act but were not mentioned in the 1973 Constitution. Parallel ranks exist worldwide for Air Chief and Naval Chief.'