Joint Parliamentary Committee finalizes draft of 27th Amendment

Islamabad
A crucial in-camera meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Law and Justice, chaired by Senator Farooq H. Naik, was held at Parliament House to deliberate on the 27th Constitutional Amendment. However, opposition parties, including JUI-F, PTI, and MWM, did not participate, prompting committee members to express regret over their absence. Federal Minister Awais Cheema also attended the session.
According to sources, Attorney General Usman Mansoor Awan consulted with key government officials during a brief recess and returned to the meeting. During the session, all clauses of the amendment were reviewed. While no major changes were made, minor editorial adjustments, such as commas and full stops, were incorporated. The provision granting the President lifetime immunity in criminal proceedings has been finalized. The committee expressed concern over opposition non-participation, questioning why criticisms made publicly were not raised within the committee. The committee’s report is expected to be presented in the Senate on Monday, with the possibility of the 27th Constitutional Amendment being approved by the upper house on the following day. Both Houses’ standing committees are conducting final reviews of all clauses, including the lifetime immunity for the President.
Senator Anusha Rehman withdrew the proposed amendment on the Prime Minister’s immunity following the PM’s instructions, which was appreciated by Chairman Farooq H. Naik. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarrar told journalists that the committee has completed approximately 85% of its work. He added that proposals from MQM and other parties will be reviewed after a short recess, with hopes that the committee would finalize its work by evening.
The Prime Minister opposed immunity proposals for his office, clarifying that the functions of the President and other constitutional offices are distinct, and he does not seek any such protection. JUI members participated in the previous day’s session to convey their party policy. During committee recesses, recommendations on the amendment were drafted for final consideration by the committee, including Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarrar, Attorney General, and Senator Farooq H. Naik.
The committee also approved amendments to Article 243 of the Constitution and the clause on lifetime immunity for the President.
While government-allied parties’ proposals could not be fully decided in the session, Senator Farooq H. Naik stated that the basic draft has been approved, with some amendments left for the committee and Law Minister to finalize. Proposals such as renaming the ANP province were deferred, BAP’s request to increase provincial assembly seats will be discussed at the Prime Minister’s House, and MQM’s demand to constitutionally cover local government elections was accepted.