Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, officially making it part of Pakistan’s Constitution after it was approved by both the National Assembly and the Senate with the required two-thirds majority.
The Senate passed the bill during a session chaired by Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani, where Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the revised text for clause-by-clause approval.
The National Assembly had endorsed the amendment a day earlier with 234 votes in favor, surpassing the minimum requirement of 224. However, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) opposed the bill.
The 27th Amendment introduces eight new clauses to the Constitution. One of the major changes modifies Clause 2 of Article 6, making it clear that any act of high treason cannot be validated by any court.
The amendment also adds the term “Constitutional Court” to the clause, placing it alongside the Supreme Court and High Courts as part of the judicial structure.
Another key feature of the amendment states that the incumbent Chief Justice of Pakistan will continue to hold office until the completion of their term.
Afterward, the title will pass to the most senior judge from either the Supreme Court or the newly established Federal Constitutional Court.
