Bilawal Declares Constitution ‘Complete’ After Passage of 27th Amendment
PPP Chairman Emphasises Equal Provincial Role in Newly Formed Constitutional Court
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday declared that the country’s Constitution has now been “completed” following the approval of the 27th Constitutional Amendment — a reform aimed at reshaping Pakistan’s judicial and defence frameworks.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Sindh Wheat Growers Support Programme 2025 in Larkana, Bilawal celebrated the milestone as a victory for provincial equality and democratic consolidation. “There will be no compromise on the equal representation of provinces in the Constitutional Court,” he affirmed, pledging parity among all federating units.
Senate Approves Landmark 27th Amendment
The Senate passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill with 64 votes after Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the comprehensive 59-clause legislation. The amendment introduces major structural reforms, including the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) and the creation of a new position — Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) — to serve as the head of the armed forces.
The voting saw support not only from the ruling coalition but also from several opposition figures, including members of the Awami National Party (ANP), PTI-backed Senator Saifullah Abro, and JUI-F’s Ahmed Khan, reflecting rare cross-party consensus on constitutional reform.
Source: The International News
A New Judicial Framework
Under the amendment, certain powers previously held by the Supreme Court will now be transferred to the proposed Federal Constitutional Court, which will specifically handle constitutional matters.
The move, according to the government, is designed to address the mounting backlog of constitutional petitions before the Supreme Court, allowing it to focus more efficiently on civil and criminal cases.
Law Minister Tarar explained that these reforms stem from extensive consultations with political parties and bar councils. “This initiative will bring much-needed clarity and balance to Pakistan’s judicial structure,” he noted.
Reforming the Defence Command
The amendment also introduces changes to Article 243, refining the administrative and procedural command structure of Pakistan’s armed forces. The new post of Chief of Defence Forces will oversee coordination among the three services — Army, Navy, and Air Force — to ensure a unified strategic direction.
Tarar said these changes are intended to “improve procedural clarity and strengthen institutional efficiency,” aligning Pakistan’s defence management with global best practices.
Bilawal’s Vision for Federal Equality
In his address, Bilawal reaffirmed the PPP’s historic commitment to federalism and provincial empowerment, echoing his party’s long-standing stance that all provinces must have an equal voice in national decision-making.
“There will be as many judges from Balochistan as from Sindh, as many from Punjab as from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he emphasised, describing the Federal Constitutional Court as a cornerstone of equitable governance and judicial fairness.
A Step Toward Structural Balance
The 27th Amendment marks one of the most significant constitutional overhauls in recent years — bridging civil-military reforms and judicial restructuring. Political analysts see it as an attempt to decentralise judicial power, improve case management, and foster greater inter-institutional harmony.
With the passage of this amendment, Pakistan’s leadership has signalled a renewed commitment to constitutional continuity, institutional clarity, and federal balance — key pillars of a stronger democratic framework.
