Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have agreed to introduce the 27th constitutional amendment, sources said on Sunday as the federal government aims to change laws pertaining to military courts.
It was decided during a meeting in Lahore where they expressed their commitment to “strengthen democracy and Parliament through collaboration.”
Bilawal arrived at the PM’s residence in Model Town, Lahore, accompanied by Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider and former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. Leaders from the PML-N, including Azam Nazeer Tarar, Rana Sanaullah, and Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, were also present at the meeting.
The discussions focused on the next constitutional amendment, with plans to engage JUI-F Chairman Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), and more political parties to seek their support for the initiative.
On Saturday, Adviser to the prime minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah confirmed that the proposed 27th constitutional amendment would include provisions for establishing military courts.
In an interview with World Echo (WE News), he claimed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured allied political parties that it would be introduced. The amendment is expected to address the distribution of funds within the local government system in Sindh.
The government narrowly passed constitutional amendments on Monday giving lawmakers more power to appoint top judges, who have issued a series of recent decisions favouring opposition chief Imran Khan.
The judicial reforms changed the appointment process of the chief justice of Pakistan and the formation of benches. It also set a date for the end of riba (interest-based banking) “as far as practicable by January 1, 2028.”
The PM’s adviser on political affairs stressed the need for establishing military courts in specific areas like erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas. He clarified that cases involving incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan “will not be handled by military courts.”
Sources said that both leaders agreed to address provincial rights in the amendment and to consult.
At one point, Bilawal described the approval of the 26th Constitutional Amendment as a “historic achievement” and added that “it will effectively counteract undemocratic forces.”
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PM Shehbaz stated that the credit for the approval of the amendment goes to all coalition parties. He emphasised that they have “never shied away” from serving the people in the past and would not do so now. The premier noted that “positive economic indicators” were leading to a reduction in inflation.
Independent senator Faisal Vawda also spoke about it while appearing on the Aaj News programme Rubaroo.
“I had said earlier that there will be amendments and developments,” he said. “I will keep the nation informed about all the drama and Imran Khan.”
In response to a question about any more tweaks in the law, Vawda said that he would speak when the time was appropriate. When the host pressed, he said: “Not just the 27th constitutional amendment.”
