Islamabad: In a significant push for tweaks to the country's key law, Federal Law Minister Senator Chaudhry Azam Nazeer Tarar Advocate on Saturday presented the 27th Constitutional Amendment bill in the Upper House of Parliament, which was immediately referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice by Chairman Senator Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani.

Sharing main features, Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the proposed constitutional amendment comprises forty-nine clauses with five subject areas.

He said the amendment envisages the establishment of a federal constitutional court. He recalled that the establishment of a federal constitutional court was one of the points agreed upon amongst the political parties in the Charter of Democracy. He said the aim was to promote democracy and ensure supremacy of the constitution.

The Law Minister explained that the federal constitutional court will hear cases relating to constitutional matters and interpretation of the constitution. The permanent seat of the Federal Constitutional Court shall be at Islamabad.

The Law Minister said it has also been proposed that the President may transfer a Judge of a High Court from one High Court to another on the recommendation of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan. For this purpose the chief justices of both high courts shall also be members of the Judicial Commission of Pakistan.

As regards amendments in article 243, Azam Nazeer Tarar said the President shall, on advice of the Prime Minister, appoint the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently, the Chief of the Defense Forces.

He also explained that the appointment of the chief of air staff and chief of naval staff will be made on the advice of the Prime Minister.

He said the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee shall stand abolished with effect from the twenty-seventh day of November 2025.

Azam Nazeer Tarar said the Prime Minister shall, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces, appoint the Commander of the National Strategic Command from the members of Pakistan Army and shall also determine his salaries and allowances.

He said that where the Federal Government promotes a member of the Armed Forces to the rank of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force or Admiral of the Fleet, such officer shall retain the rank, privileges and remain in uniform for life. Upon completion of the term of his command, under the law, the Federal Government shall determine the responsibilities and duties of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force or Admiral of the Fleet in the interest of the State.

The Law Minister said the opposition parties should hold discussion on the proposed constitutional amendment keeping in view the dignity, honour and sovereignty of the country.

The Chairman Senate referred the constitutional amendment to the Senate's standing committee on law and justice for review and consideration.

He directed the Senate standing committee to also invite the Chairman and members of the Standing Committee on Law and Justice of the National Assembly to participate in its proceedings and share their inputs on the bill. He said both the committees should hold joint meetings for detailed review and consideration of the bill and that the report shall be presented before the house.

Meanwhile, Senator Barrister Syed Ali Zafar said that the seat of the leader of the Opposition in the Senate is empty, and as long as it remains vacant, discussion on the constitutional amendment is not appropriate.

He said that he had just received the draft of the 27th Amendment bill and hadn't read it yet. "We can't debate on the matter unless we read it," he added.

At this, Deputy Prime Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar said that everyone in the Senate will speak on the matter, but the standing committees address only specific matters.

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 cabinet's approval of the 27th Amendment draft comes a day after the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) supported amending Article 243 and forming a constitutional court while ensuring democratic and civilian safeguards remained intact.

"After our Central Executive Committee meeting, we agreed on three points: amending Article 243, establishing a constitutional court, and managing judges' transfers through proper consultation," Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said during a media briefing in Karachi on Friday.

In the media briefing, 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.'

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.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed cabinet members and thanked coalition partners for their support on the 27th Amendment draft.

Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said the amendment reflects collective efforts to strengthen the federation's relations with provinces and serve the broader national interest.

He praised the Ministry of Law and Justice, the Attorney General, and their teams for their work on the draft.

The premier said that he consulted former PM Nawaz Sharif and expressed gratitude for his guidance. 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.