Federal Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar formally presented the 27th Constitutional Amendment in the Senate, while the clause-by-clause approval process is currently underway. So far, 14 clauses of the amendment have been approved.
According to details, the Standing Committee on Law and Justice’s report on the 27th Constitutional (Amendment) Bill 2025 was presented in the Senate by Senator Farooq H. Naek, who chairs the committee.
Presenting the report, Senator Farooq H. Naek stated that several revisions had been made to the bill and that the committee had approved the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court. He emphasized that the proposed court would ensure equal representation from all provinces and that the committee had made numerous adjustments after detailed deliberations.
He added that the committee recommended that judges with 5 to 7 years of service in a High Court would be eligible for appointment to the Constitutional Court, along with the inclusion of one technocrat as a member.
Senator Naek further explained that while the committee retained the suo motu powers, their exercise would now be conditional upon a formal application. The Constitutional Court may initiate proceedings if it deems such action necessary upon reviewing a submitted petition.
He also noted that a new procedure for judicial transfers had been proposed—these transfers would now be conducted through the Judicial Commission in accordance with its set conditions. If a judge refuses a transfer, a reference will be filed requiring them to justify their refusal; failure to provide valid reasons would result in automatic retirement.
Additionally, Senator Naek said that the clause granting lifetime immunity to the President had been revised: the President’s immunity would be withdrawn upon assuming any public office, and restored after leaving that position.
The committee also proposed that the Speaker of the National Assembly should nominate a member of the Judicial Commission, who may be a woman, non-Muslim, or technocrat.
Moreover, a new provision stipulates that if a case is not decided within one year, any stay order in the matter will automatically lapse.
