Parliament set to approve major judicial and military reforms today

27th Amendment – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) – Pakistan’s National Assembly is getting ready to vote on a major change to the country’s constitution today. This vote comes after the law minister presented the proposed bill, known as the 27th Amendment, for discussion. The lower house of parliament will continue debating the bill before it is put forward for a final vote.

The government needs a two-thirds majority in the 336-member National Assembly to pass the bill. The ruling coalition appears to have the numbers it needs to succeed. This follows the bill’s approval in the Senate earlier this week, which also involved a strong vote from the government’s side.

The proposed changes are significant and have two main parts. The first is the creation of a new Federal Constitutional Court. The second involves changing the structure of the country’s military leadership.

However, the bill is facing strong criticism from opposition parties. An opposition alliance has announced nationwide protests, calling the amendment a “dark and dangerous” move. They argue that the changes will harm democracy and the judicial system.

One of the most debated points is a proposal to grant the president lifetime immunity from criminal cases. Opposition leaders argue this creates an “elite class” above the law. They warn that the amendment will paralyze the existing judiciary and does not serve the public’s interests.

In defense of the bill, government supporters say the new Federal Constitutional Court is necessary. They claim it will help prevent court decisions that overstep their bounds and reduce the workload of the overburdened Supreme Court.

Pakistan argues at UNSC debate that terrorist groups based in Afghanistan have access to illicit armaments, which endangers regional stability.

A leader from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stated that their president does not need immunity, noting he has already faced years in prison without a conviction. She promised her party would not compromise on provincial rights. Meanwhile, other government allies are already looking ahead to future amendments about local government systems.

This is not the first time the government has pushed for a major constitutional change. Last year, it passed the 26th Amendment, a process that was also surrounded by controversy and claims of pressure on lawmakers. The current push for the 27th Amendment shows the government’s continued focus on reshaping the country’s foundational legal document.