National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said the bill received 234 votes in favour and four against. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar successfully navigated the bill through the house via aerobust two-way voting mechanism—a decisive division followed by a comprehensive clause-by-clause review. The legislation now embarks on its final leg: it will be referred back to the Senate where the recent changes will be subjected to final debate and ultimately, cleared for enactment by the upper house.
PM Shahbaz Sharif said the house exhibited solidarity and national unity was promoted. He thanked the lawmakers on his behalf and that of the nation.
The prime minister also paid tribute to deceased PML-N senator Irfan Siddiqui, hailing him as the “teacher of teachers”, and lauded his loyalty to Nawaz.
PM Shahbaz also addressed the suicide blast in Islamabad and said it was no hidden matter now that the hand of terrorists was plain to see in such incidents. In his statement he had blamed Indian involvement, the Fitna al-Khawarij and said “footprints of Afghanistan are also seen”, the prime minister said India had subsequently issued remarks rubbishing the allegations.
He added that I don’t need to say a lot. The terrorists who abducted a train in Balochistan, the Jaffer Express, we brought its evidence before the whole world how TTP and BLA were active from Afghanistan and were in contact with terrorists there and also with their supporters in India”.
“We presented these facts before the whole world and no one challenged or rebutted them.”
Thus, the prime minister said the notion that Pakistan’s terrorist enemies were not involved in the attacks was akin to calling “day as night and vice versa”.“I want to say something with great satisfaction and force to these terrorist elements and enemies of Pakistan, that we are fully aware of your actions and we have given you a befitting response before and will do so again as well.”
Referring to the high-stakes negotiations with Afghanistan held in Turkey, the Premier
articulated Pakistan’s unwavering and non-negotiable demand, maintained consistently
over the past two years: the Afghan Taliban must decisively restrain terrorist organizations
operating from their territory and launching attacks against Pakistan.
The Premier tresses that while Pakistan desires genuine peace and views Afghanistan as a
critical, equal partner—believing mutual success is intertwined—this cooperation is
contingent upon action. He warned against the continuation of “false promises,”
demanding a definitive clampdown on terrorism rather than rhetorical assurances.
The PM thanked President Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, and all other allies for their support in passing the amendment through a consultative process.
He also thanked Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi for his constitutional support and clarified that the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice will continue to head the Supreme Judicial Council, Judicial Commission, and other key constitutional bodies.
He hailed the establishment of the constitutional court as the fulfillment of a long-standing
“dream” and the “peak” of the Charter of Democracy.
The PM reiterated his credit to Pakistan’s military performance in the May conflict,
asserting that it significantly raised the country’s international reputation and prestige.
He stated this national achievement was the specific reason why the entire nation
supported the government’s decision to confer the rank of Field Marshal on the Army
Chief.
The PM stressed that there Is no difference in thinking between him and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, emphasizing the reciprocal relationship: a strong Centre leads to strong provinces, and vice versa.
He firmly stated that any unilateral rollback of the 18th Amendment or changes to the
National Finance Commission (NFC) Award is “out of the question” without complete
and thorough consultation.
The Premier concluded by stating his core political principle: “I am with that which
strengthens Pakistan and the federation and against that which weakens them.” He added that anything, regardless of its independent merit, is “not good for Pakistan” if it weakens the federation. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari referenced the political consensus achieved during the passage of the 18th Amendment and the 1973 Constitution to frame the current legislative success.
- He highlighted that both the PTI and the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) were “on board” with the crucial decision to form the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench, stating that other concerns raised by the PTI were also addressed.
- Speaking to the spirit of the Charter of Democracy, Bilawal emphasized the critical need to “move forward towards a truth and reconciliation.”
- He stressed the principle of shared national ownership, stating: “We must acknowledge that this Pakistan is as much mine as it is of Shehbaz Sharif, of Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and of Imran Khan.”
- The PPP leader acknowledged that political differences are natural but warned that the country cannot function properly “unless we open such doors that decrease Political polarization.”
- He urged politicians to take their fate into their own hands by communicating and making decisions despite their disagreements.
- Finally, he urged the opposition not to abandon the political and parliamentary grounds, calling for consistent communication between all parties to break the current deadlock.
PPP’s speaker Nafisa Shah addressed Pakistan’s judicial history, the purpose behind advocating for a constitutional court, and the PPP’s pragmatic stance on the 27th Amendment.
- Doctrine of Necessity: She criticized the infamous judicial dictum, referencing Justice Munir, which brought the doctrine of necessity into legal practice. She described the dictum as meaning “that which is illegal by law is law by necessity,” and highlighted its historical use to dismiss elected governments, constituent assemblies, and prime ministers.
- Vision of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz: She stated that late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif wisely opposed a judiciary that would “rationalize unconstitutional rule” and dismiss elected leaders.• Purpose of FCC: It was from this perspective that the establishment of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) was suggested, which explains the current push for a constitutional court.
- Controversial Provisions: She admitted that some provisions of the proposed 27th Amendment are “controversial” and require significant discussion.
- Pragmatic Engagement: Citing Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, she argued that given the current circumstances, one “cannot let go off whatever space you are getting” be it a mile or an inch—in the move toward civilian supremacy.
- Stance on Transfers: The PPP endorses the proposed changes regarding the transfer of judges to prevent them from being used to “arm twist the judges.”
- Conclusion: She asserted that “Boycott is not an option,” confirming the PPP’s historical commitment to “always engaged positively with the Constitution, with the parliament.”
