ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday ordered the withdrawal of a proposed immunity for premiers in the 27th constitutional amendment, saying that the prime ministers must remain “fully accountable.”
The bill proposes the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), changes to the appointment process for high court judges, a higher cap on provincial cabinets, and changes to the military leadership structure.
A set of clauses in the bill also proposes life-long constitutional protection to officers promoted to five-star ranks of field marshal, marshal of the air force or navy's admiral of the fleet.
In his post on X, Sharif said, upon his return from Azerbaijan, he learnt that some senators belonging to his party had submitted an amendment regarding immunity for the prime minister.
"While I acknowledge their intent in good faith, the proposal was not part of the cabinet-approved draft. I have instructed that it be withdrawn immediately," he said.
"As a matter of principle, an elected Prime Minister must remain fully accountable, both before the court of law and the people."
The proposed amendment was tabled in the Senate, upper house of parliament, on Saturday after its approval from the federal cabinet. A joint parliamentary committee on law and justice is currently reviewing the proposals under the amendment.
"An opinion will be sought on all clauses and after that, this will be finalized... Definitely, we have complete hope that we will complete it today," Farooq H. Naek, who heads the Senate committee, said on Sunday.
In Pakistan, constitutional amendments have historically been used to reshape the balance of power between the legislature, judiciary and provinces.
The proposed 27th amendment follows the 26th amendment passed in October 2024, which gave parliament a role in appointing the chief justice and created a new panel of senior judges to hear constitutional cases, measures critics said weakened judicial independence.
Pakistan’s constitution, adopted in 1973, has been amended more than two dozen times, often reflecting shifts in authority among civilian governments and the military. Provisions governing the National Finance Commission (NFC) award are among the most politically sensitive because they underpin the country’s federal structure and provincial autonomy.
On Saturday, a multi-party opposition alliance, the Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), announced a nationwide protest campaign against the proposed amendment.
"The constitution is being tampered with. Our own parliament is attacking the constitution, so we have no other option, we will go to the people," Mahmood Khan Achakzai, a senior member of the opposition alliance, said in a post on X.
But State Minister for Law Aqeel Malik said the approval of the 27th constitutional amendment by the federal cabinet marks a “significant step toward strengthening the supremacy of parliament.”
“This amendment not only symbolizes the strengthening of democratic institutions but also fulfills the long-cherished vision of establishing a constitutional court,” he said.
“This development represents a positive and historic milestone toward promoting constitutional balance, transparent accountability, and institutional harmony across the country.”
