By Admin 
The political atmosphere has become heated as preparations for a major constitutional change take place in Pakistan. The Shehbaz Sharif government is pushing the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which includes far-reaching provisions like giving unprecedented powers to the army chief and limiting the role of the Supreme Court. In protest against this, opposition parties have been protesting across the country since Sunday and are warning that this amendment will ‘shake the foundation of the Constitution of Pakistan’.
Controversy over giving new powers to Army Chief
Under the 27th Constitutional Amendment that the government wants to bring, there is a proposal to create a new post of Chief of Defense Forces (CDF). This post will be with the Army Chief. Current Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir will become the constitutional head of the three armies of the country, Army, Navy and Air Force.
The opposition alleges that this step will unusually increase the political and constitutional influence of the army. A PTI leader said, ‘After the amendment, field marshals will get lifelong privileges and no case can ever be registered against them.’
Proposal to reduce the powers of the Supreme Court
The amendment proposes to create a Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), which will take over many of the powers of the Supreme Court, such as interpreting the Constitution and resolving Union-Territory disputes. Apart from this, there has also been talk of changing the appointment process of judges in the High Courts and giving lifetime immunity to the President from criminal cases. Many legal experts have warned that this will make the Supreme Court almost ‘irrelevant’ and will remain only a court of ordinary civil and criminal appeals.
Tension increased in the political environment
Political analyst Habib Akram said that this amendment will put Pakistan’s political disputes beyond the reach of the courts and will increase bitterness in the country. He compared it to the controversial 8th amendment of General Zia-ul-Haq. On the other hand, opposition leader Abuzar Salman Niazi called it an ‘attack on the independence of the judiciary’.
Discussion begins in Parliament, government confident of majority
Formal discussion on this amendment has started in the upper house of Parliament (Senate) from the weekend. Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar introduced the bill, which has been sent to the committee for further review. The government is confident that it will garner the support of the required two-thirds majority (64 members) in the Senate. After the amendment is passed, it will also require two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.
Opposition demonstrations begin across the country
Opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-in-e-Pakistan (TTAP) has announced to start a nationwide movement. This alliance includes MWM, PTI, PkMAP, BNP-M and Sunni Ittehad Council. MWM chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said, ‘Democratic institutions have been crippled in Pakistan. The public will have to rise against the 27th Amendment. PkMAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai said that from Sunday there will be demonstrations across the country with slogans like ‘Long live democracy’ and ‘Down with dictatorship’. He also demanded the release of political prisoners.
Experts’ warning – ‘This is like the end of judiciary’
Many senior lawyers and defense experts have said that the proposed amendment will change the judicial structure. A senior lawyer said that in the new system, the Supreme Court will become like the ‘Supreme District Court’, because appeals in many important cases including elections will now go to the FCC and not to the Supreme Court.
The next few days will be decisive
The amendment must be passed in both houses of Parliament before it can be sent for the President’s approval. The government is rushing to push the bill forward, while the opposition is intensifying nationwide protests to stop it. Pakistan’s politics is expected to become even more tense in the coming days.