PPP’s CEC meeting to decide party stance; government confident but uneasy
Political Frenzy Builds in the Capital
Islamabad is bracing for a heated political battle as the government prepares to table the 27th Constitutional Amendment in the Senate on Friday.
The move has set off intense debate not just over what the amendment truly entails, but also whether it can pass amid the fragile coalition dynamics holding the current setup together.
At least 64 votes are required in the Senate to pass a constitutional amendment. The government claims confidence, but much hinges on the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) final decision, expected after its Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting tomorrow.
PPP at the Centre of the Storm
The PPP, holding 26 Senate seats the largest single bloc will play a decisive role.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have already met in an effort to secure PPP’s backing.
PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari first hinted at the amendment’s content earlier this week, revealing that it seeks to expand judicial reforms introduced in the 26th Amendment.
Proposed Changes: What’s on the Table
Based on early leaks and Bilawal’s remarks, the 27th Amendment proposes:
- The creation of Federal Constitutional Courts in provinces;
- Restoration of executive magistrates;
- Transfer of judges between jurisdictions without requiring their consent;
- Adjustments in Article 200, Article 243, and other key constitutional provisions;
- Reduction in provincial shares under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award;
- Possible changes in the military command structure and Election Commission appointments.
These provisions, if passed, would mark the most sweeping structural reforms since the 18th Amendment.
Experts Warn of Risks to Judicial Independence
Legal analyst Mirza Moiz Baig told The Express Tribune that the proposed amendment could “leave judges vulnerable to executive influence”.
He cautioned that removing consent for judicial transfers and restoring executive magistrates would “erode the separation of powers guaranteed under Article 175.”
Baig added, “Creating a Federal Constitutional Court packed with compliant judges would reduce the Supreme Court to an appellate body, undermining fundamental rights.”
Similarly, researcher Yasser Kureshi of Oxford University said the amendment reflects a broader attempt to subordinate the judiciary.
He argued that the judiciary is increasingly being “used to consolidate executive power,” adding that debates on independence are “now largely symbolic.”
The NFC Award Debate Rekindled
The amendment’s possible revision of the NFC Award which currently allocates 57.5% of divisible pool resources to provinces has reignited old tensions between the federation and provinces.
Critics warn this could dilute provincial autonomy and undermine the federal spirit of the Constitution.
Baig likened the amendment’s impact to the opposite of the 18th Amendment, saying, “It will do to the Federation what the 18th did to save it.”
Divergent Voices Within the Coalition
Political opinions remain sharply divided even within the ruling alliance.
PML-N MNA Tehmina Daultana defended the amendment as “vital for national progress and stronger governance.”
But PPP lawmaker Agha Rafiullah countered, saying, “We will not let provinces lose the autonomy granted under the 18th Amendment. We’ll make it even stronger.”
PTI’s Rana Atif called the moment a “test for Bilawal Bhutto,” while Asad Qaiser accused the PPP of abandoning its democratic legacy.
Senate Math: The Numbers Game
In the 96-member Senate,
- PPP leads with 26 seats,
- PML-N follows with 20,
- BAP holds 4,
- MQM has 3,
- and several independents — including Mohsin Naqvi, Abdul Qadir, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, and Faisal Vawda are aligned with the government.
On the opposition benches, PTI commands 14 seats, JUI-F holds 7, and smaller parties like ANP, MWM, and SIC account for the rest.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the Senate that “all coalition partners are being consulted” and that the final draft “will only be presented after mutual agreement.”
National Assembly: The Final Step
Once the Senate finalises the draft, it will move to the National Assembly, where 224 votes are required for passage.
Out of 336 seats, 10 remain vacant, leaving 326 active members. The ruling coalition currently commands 237 votes including 125 from PML-N, 74 from PPP, and 22 from MQM giving it a comfortable edge if the PPP remains on board.
But without PPP support, the amendment cannot pass. Opposition parties, including PTI and TTAP, have vowed to block the legislation in both houses.
Political Stakes at Their Peak
For now, one thing is certain the 27th Amendment’s fate rests squarely on the PPP’s shoulders.
The draft expected to be tabled in the Senate on Friday, November 7, may not be the version that ultimately reaches the National Assembly floor.
But in a climate charged with suspicion, institutional tension, and power realignment the coming days could define the future of Pakistan’s constitutional order.