Pakistan’s government has proposed a significant constitutional amendment that has triggered intense debate and political protests across the country. The 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, set for a parliamentary vote next week, aims to restructure the military’s command hierarchy and reform the judiciary, moves that have drawn both support and strong criticism.

Proposed Military Restructuring

The bill, introduced in the Senate after receiving cabinet approval, seeks to abolish the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and replace it with a new and more powerful position — Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

According to reports, the CDF would serve as the constitutional head of the army, navy, and air force, consolidating authority under one role. The serving Chief of Army Staff (COAS) would hold this post, significantly enhancing the powers of the military’s top commander.

Analysts say the proposed structure resembles earlier periods in Pakistan’s political history when military leadership exercised a central role in governance.

Judicial Reforms Under the Amendment

The amendment also proposes the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), which would share or assume some of the Supreme Court’s current responsibilities.

Under the plan:

  • The FCC would handle constitutional matters, while the Supreme Court would focus primarily on appeals.
  • Judges of the FCC would serve until age 68, compared to the current retirement age of 65.
  • The amendment also includes provisions relating to the immunity of the president from criminal prosecution during and after their tenure.

Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar tabled the bill in the Senate, where Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani referred it to a review committee chaired by Farooq Naek. The government has expressed confidence in securing a two-thirds majority needed to pass the legislation.

Opposition Response and Nationwide Protests

Opposition parties have strongly objected to the proposed amendment, describing it as a threat to democratic institutions.
A coalition of opposition groups under the banner Tehreek-e-Tahafuz Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) — which includes Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M), and the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) — announced nationwide demonstrations beginning Sunday.

Party leaders said the protests aim to “safeguard the Constitution and strengthen democratic governance,” calling for public participation in peaceful rallies.

Legal Experts Divided on Impact

The proposed judicial restructuring has sparked divided opinions among Pakistan’s legal community.

Critics argue that transferring powers from the Supreme Court to the new FCC could dilute judicial independence and expand executive influence.
Former Additional Attorney General Tariq Mehmood Khokhar warned that the new arrangement could “empower the Federal Constitutional Court by limiting the role of the Supreme Court.”

Some lawyers have also expressed concern over provisions that could extend the authority of the Chief of Defence Forces, potentially altering the civil-military balance.

However, others view the proposal as a modernisation effort.
Senior counsel Hafiz Ahsaan Ahmad Khokhar described the amendment as “a long-overdue structural reform” that could enhance efficiency and reduce case backlogs by separating appellate and constitutional jurisdictions.
He added that the new framework under Article 243 could improve coordination among the armed forces while ensuring civilian oversight through established constitutional mechanisms.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Haroonur Rasheed also voiced cautious support for the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court, noting that it could help streamline judicial processes if implemented transparently.

The Road Ahead

The Senate committee’s recommendations are expected early next week before the bill is tabled for final debate and voting in Parliament.
If passed, the 27th Amendment would mark one of the most consequential constitutional changes in Pakistan’s recent history, reshaping both the civil-military structure and the judicial framework.

Observers say the coming week will be critical in determining whether the proposed changes gain parliamentary approval or face greater resistance amid public demonstrations.