Web Desk – November 12, 2025
Islamabad: The National Assembly has approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment with a two-thirds majority. The bill had earlier been passed by the Senate.
Presided over by Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar moved the amendment during the session. Clause-by-clause voting proceeded amid protests, with opposition members staging a sit-in in front of the Speaker’s dais. JUI-F voted against the bill, but it secured 231 votes in favor and only 4 against.
The Law Minister clarified that Justice Yahya Afridi will remain Chief Justice of Pakistan. Upon retirement or vacancy, the senior-most Chief Justice — from either the Supreme Court or the Federal Constitutional Court — will become the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
Key amendments to Articles 200 and 209 restrict the President’s authority to transfer High Court judges. Transfers will now require Judicial Commission recommendation only. No sitting Chief Justice or judge senior to the receiving court’s CJ can be transferred.
If a judge refuses transfer, a reference will be filed with the Supreme Judicial Council, which must decide within 30 days. The judge will remain suspended during proceedings. Retired judges will receive full pension and privileges. Refusal to join the Federal Constitutional Court will also trigger an SJC reference.
New Supreme Judicial Council rules must be framed within 60 days. The Council will include the CJP, Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court, two senior-most judges from each, two senior High Court judges, and will be chaired by the senior-most among the top justices.
Under Article 243, the title of Chief of Army Staff has been changed to “Commander of Defence Forces”. The President will appoint on PM’s advice. The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will cease to exist from November 27, 2025.
The Commander National Strategic Command will be appointed by the PM on the Army Chief’s recommendation from within Pakistan Army ranks. The federal government will set salary and allowances.
Officers may be promoted to Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, or Admiral of the Fleet with lifetime uniform, privileges, and status. Such officers will be declared national heroes under Article 47 and cannot be removed without due process. Field Marshals are granted immunity under Article 248.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were present. Veteran leader Khursheed Shah attended in a wheelchair following recent hospitalization.
These amendments are seen as a major step toward judicial transparency, institutional balance, and structural reform.
