Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday confirmed that the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill will be presented only after consultation with all coalition partners, ensuring it aligns fully with the Constitution.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate, Dar assured lawmakers that the government would not rush the process. “We will try to present it in accordance with the Constitution,” he said. “It will not happen that the amendment is passed in haste — I give this assurance.”

According to Dar, the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill — expected to be tabled in the Senate on November 7 — will introduce key structural reforms, including the formation of a Constitutional Court and changes to the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award. It also proposes revisions to Article 243, which defines the supreme command of Pakistan’s armed forces.

Dar clarified that the initiative is the government’s own effort and not influenced externally. “This amendment is the government’s initiative — it is not landing by parachute from anywhere,” he said, stressing that the draft will be shared with coalition parties including the PPP, MQM-P, ANP, and BAP before finalisation.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has already reached out to its major ally, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), seeking support for the constitutional changes. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari earlier confirmed that the proposed amendments also include provisions for executive magistrates, transfer of judges, and adjustments in provincial shares under the NFC Award.

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Dar directed the Law Minister to formally table the amendment and urged the Senate Chairman to involve the National Assembly’s Law and Justice Committee for further consultation.

Meanwhile, sources said that both Houses — the Senate and National Assembly — will review the bill separately before approval, with the government targeting its passage next week.

Political reactions

Senator Faisal Vawda called the proposed amendment a “positive step” and hinted that it may pass before the end of November. He said amendments to Article 243 could help “strengthen Pakistan’s defence line,” adding that modern warfare now extends to cyber and hybrid domains.

Dismissing speculation, Vawda clarified, “Some people are claiming the 18th Amendment is being rolled back. There is no such thing.”

However, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) strongly opposed the move. Party leader and lawyer Salman Akram Raja described the proposed constitutional tweaks as “extremely dangerous,” alleging that they threaten the judiciary’s independence.

In response, Senator Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, rejected the criticism, saying the government’s proposal was being “needlessly portrayed as a storm.” He reiterated that forming a constitutional court was part of the Charter of Democracy and would only proceed after complete consensus among coalition partners.