PM Shehbaz chairs cabinet session via video-link from Baku to approve draft as allies back the bill aiming to streamline constitutional process

Cabinet-approved draft tabled in Senate which was referred to NA, Senate law panels for detailed review

Joint session of NA and Senate law panels convened; JUI-F members boycott over provincial rights concerns

Law Minister emphasizes discussions to continue until a consensus reached among all members, inviting opposition to join session

PM Shehbaz engages allies; opposition PTI and JUI-F raise concerns over provincial rights, NFC shares and transparency

ISLAMABAD: In a decisive move, the federal government on Saturday accelerated the much-debated process for the 27th Constitutional Amendment, presenting the bill in the Senate immediately after federal cabinet approval.

The step, described by some critics as “rushed,” triggered intense discussions in the parliamentary committees on law and justice, highlighting the complex interplay of politics, provincial rights, and judicial reforms in Pakistan.

The move has drawn both support from allied parties and sharp criticism from opposition and legal experts who view certain aspects as encroaching on provincial autonomy and the 18th Amendment.

The draft, which has been under deliberation for over a decade, proposes significant structural changes, including the formation of a Federal Constitutional Court, revisions in the appointment and transfer processes of high court judges, adjustments to provincial cabinet thresholds, and modifications to the military leadership structure.

Committee Deliberations and Initial Reactions

After the Senate tabled the bill, it was referred to the standing comm