The government is set to push the 27th Constitutional Amendment through by the end of this month, having finalized the framework for its approval.
The amendment proposes significant changes, including expanding federal authority, revising the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, establishing constitutional courts, and introducing new rules for the transfer of judges.
Sources indicate that Article 243, which pertains to the Armed Forces of Pakistan, is among those slated for revision. Additionally, changes are proposed to Article 213 in order to resolve the recurring impasse in appointing the Chief Election Commissioner.
A key amendment is also planned for Article 160(3), which currently mandates that a province’s share in the NFC Award cannot be lower than in the previous award. The revision aims to introduce greater flexibility to promote “more favorable fiscal outcomes” in the next NFC Award.
Sources also revealed that an amendment proposes the establishment of permanent constitutional courts through a change in Article 191, while Article 200 is expected to be amended to allow transfers of judges.
According to political observers, the 27th Constitutional Amendment could prove to be a “turning point”, bringing major changes to the administrative, judicial, and financial structures of the country.
CONTACTS WITH COALITION PARTNERS INTENSIFIED
Meanwhile, the government has started consultations with coalition parties to build a “political consensus on the amendment.”
Sources said the prime minister has decided to hold talks with the MQM, the PML-Q, the IPP, the ANP, and the JUI-F to finalize key points and preliminary outlines of the proposed amendment.
In addition, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari disclosed that a PML-N delegation, led by the prime minister, has already met President Asif Ali Zardari and himself to seek the party’s support for the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
According to a PPP statement, an important meeting of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) has been convened on November 6 at Bilawal House, Karachi, to deliberate on the matter. The meeting will be held after the president’s return from Doha.
Source: Dunya News