PPP Central Executive Committee to decide stance on November 6

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has approached the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for support on the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, according to PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

Bilawal confirmed that a PML-N delegation led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met him and PPP President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss the amendment and seek parliamentary backing.

PPP’s Response and Upcoming Policy Meeting

Bilawal stated that the PPP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) will meet on November 6, after Zardari’s return from Doha, to finalise the party’s policy on the issue.

He added that the proposed constitutional changes include the creation of a constitutional court, restoration of executive magistrates, and transfer powers for judges.

“The amendment would return powers over education and population planning to the federal government and resolve the ongoing deadlock over appointments to the Election Commission,” Bilawal said.

What the 27th Amendment May Contain

Although details are still being discussed between the two coalition parties, insiders suggest that the 27th Amendment aims to expand the federal government’s constitutional authority while addressing issues left unresolved by the 26th Amendment.

It may also touch on provincial shares in the NFC Award and introduce new changes to Article 243, which governs military command and appointments.

Background: The 26th Amendment Controversy

Passed in October last year, the 26th Constitutional Amendment remains a contentious law that reshaped Pakistan’s judicial structure.

It gave Parliament and the bureaucracy greater control over the appointment and evaluation of judges, replacing the long-standing seniority rule for the appointment of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

The amendment also required constitutional benches for petitions under Articles 184(3) and 199, and restructured the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP).

However, several petitioners have since challenged the 26th Amendment in the Supreme Court, arguing that it undermines judicial independence.

Federal Constitutional Court Proposal Revived

When the 26th Amendment was passed, both the PPP and PML-N had floated the idea of establishing a Federal Constitutional Court. However, the proposal stalled due to a lack of a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Now that the coalition holds a ruling majority, the long-discussed plan appears to be back on the table.

Legal experts say that to make the Federal Constitutional Court a constitutional reality, Article 175 must be amended to include the new court alongside the Supreme Court and provincial high courts.

Outlook

The PPP’s upcoming decision will determine whether the PML-N government can move forward with the 27th Amendment, potentially marking another pivotal shift in Pakistan’s judicial and constitutional framework.

Observers say the outcome could redefine the balance of power between the judiciary, parliament, and the executive.