ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s lower house of parliament on Wednesday passed the contentious 27th constitutional amendment seeking major changes in the country’s judicial and military command structure by a two-thirds majority required for constitutional changes, as opposition lawmakers staged a walkout in protest.
The development takes place after Pakistan’s upper house of parliament, the Senate, passed the 27th constitutional amendment by a two-thirds majority on Monday. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar had tabled it in the lower house a day earlier.
The amendment introduces changes to Article 243 of the constitution, creating a new post of the Chief of Defense Forces. It also abolishes the role of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC). This empowers the army chief to become the constitutionally recognized head of Pakistan’s armed services.
It also calls for establishing a Constitutional Court, reducing the powers of the top court and introducing new procedures for the transfer of judges. Pakistan’s government argues the amendment will help reduce the backlog of cases and improve governance. The opposition argues it clips the powers of the judiciary.
“Two hundred and thirty-four members cast their votes for Is, four members were nos. Consequently the bill is passed by the assembly by not less than the two-third of the membership of the assembly,” Speaker Ayaz Sadiq announced to loud applause.
