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What is the story about?
The federal government of Pakistan has introduced the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill to create a new top military position, the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). The bill aims to bring major changes to the country's military leadership and judicial system.
The bill proposes changes to Article 243 of the Constitution, which governs the armed forces and their leadership structure. Under the new provisions, the President will appoint both the Army Chief and the CDF based on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The purpose of the bill is to make the government work more efficiently, help it and the military cooperate better, and carry out reforms promised under the Charter of Democracy (2006).
Key changes
Creation of a new post
Pakistan is combining its top military positions into one role to make the Army, Navy, and Air Force work together under a single, constitutionally recognised leader. The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) will now have the constitutional authority to command all three military services.
The President will officially appoint the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, based on the advice of the Prime Minister.
In addition to this, a new post called Commander of the National Strategic Command will be created. The person holding the post will oversee Pakistan's nuclear weapons and strategic arsenal. This position must be filled by an Army officer appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the CDF.
Abolition of CJCSC
The current post of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), which used to coordinate the three services, will be abolished from 27 November, when the current CJCSC, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, completes his tenure. No new CJCSC appointment will be made, as the Army Chief will take over its responsibilities as CDF.
Creation of a new court
The amendment also proposes the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), which will handle all constitutional matters, transferring key powers from the Supreme Court.
The President and the Prime Minister will have a central role in appointing FCC judges, and the Parliament will decide how many judges the FCC will have. The Chief Justice of the FCC will serve a three-year term.
Key proposals under the 27th Amendment
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), posted on the social media platform X that the government has asked the party for support regarding two key proposals under the 27th Amendment.
First is the creation of provincial constitutional courts, which will handle constitutional matters at the provincial level, and the second is the restoration of executive magistrates to improve local administration and access to justice.
The President gets lifetime immunity
The bill includes a rule that gives the President of Pakistan ‘lifetime immunity’ from criminal cases. This means the President cannot be tried or prosecuted for crimes while in office or after leaving office.
The purpose, according to lawmakers, is to protect the office of the President and ensure constitutional stability.
The bill proposes changes to Article 243 of the Constitution, which governs the armed forces and their leadership structure. Under the new provisions, the President will appoint both the Army Chief and the CDF based on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The purpose of the bill is to make the government work more efficiently, help it and the military cooperate better, and carry out reforms promised under the Charter of Democracy (2006).
Key changes
Creation of a new post
Pakistan is combining its top military positions into one role to make the Army, Navy, and Air Force work together under a single, constitutionally recognised leader. The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) will now have the constitutional authority to command all three military services.
The President will officially appoint the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, based on the advice of the Prime Minister.
In addition to this, a new post called Commander of the National Strategic Command will be created. The person holding the post will oversee Pakistan's nuclear weapons and strategic arsenal. This position must be filled by an Army officer appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the CDF.
Abolition of CJCSC
The current post of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), which used to coordinate the three services, will be abolished from 27 November, when the current CJCSC, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, completes his tenure. No new CJCSC appointment will be made, as the Army Chief will take over its responsibilities as CDF.
Creation of a new court
The amendment also proposes the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), which will handle all constitutional matters, transferring key powers from the Supreme Court.
The President and the Prime Minister will have a central role in appointing FCC judges, and the Parliament will decide how many judges the FCC will have. The Chief Justice of the FCC will serve a three-year term.
Key proposals under the 27th Amendment
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), posted on the social media platform X that the government has asked the party for support regarding two key proposals under the 27th Amendment.
First is the creation of provincial constitutional courts, which will handle constitutional matters at the provincial level, and the second is the restoration of executive magistrates to improve local administration and access to justice.
The President gets lifetime immunity
The bill includes a rule that gives the President of Pakistan ‘lifetime immunity’ from criminal cases. This means the President cannot be tried or prosecuted for crimes while in office or after leaving office.
The purpose, according to lawmakers, is to protect the office of the President and ensure constitutional stability.
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