The federal government has moved a step closer to initiating major constitutional changes after the Federal Cabinet formally approved the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment. The approval came during a cabinet meeting chaired virtually by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who joined the session from Baku, Azerbaijan, where he is on an official visit.
According to official sources, several key members of the federal cabinet were present during the session, including Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister of State Musadik Malik, Rana Sanaullah, Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Awn Chaudhry, Shizra Mansab, and Qaiser Ahmad Sheikh. In addition, the Federal Minister for Law and Justice and the Attorney General for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, also attended the meeting to provide legal input and clarify constitutional aspects of the reform package.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar was reported to have given a detailed briefing to the cabinet regarding the substance and objectives of the proposed amendment. During the presentation, the minister also addressed the recommendations and objections put forward by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which has expressed reservations over specific clauses of the draft, particularly those related to provincial autonomy and financial distribution mechanisms under the NFC Award.
A central feature of the proposed 27th Amendment is the introduction of a new national security-linked office titled Commander of Defence Forces. This role, according to sources familiar with the draft, is expected to establish a clearer command and coordination structure among the country’s military leadership. Although the exact powers and responsibilities attached to this new position have not been publicly detailed yet, the proposal is seen as part of broader efforts to formalize and streamline defense decision-making processes.
The amendment package also reportedly includes changes aimed at improving institutional clarity and organizational hierarchy within key governance structures. However, the full text of the proposed amendment has not yet been released for public review, which has led to speculation and debate in political circles.
During the cabinet session, members reviewed PPP’s suggestions concerning provincial rights, financial authority, and legislative competencies. The PPP has already indicated strong opposition to any clause that may roll back gains made under the 18th Constitutional Amendment. Specifically, PPP opposes the removal of Article 160(3A), which currently safeguards provincial shares in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and prevents the federal government from reducing allocations to provinces in future budget cycles.
Despite these disagreements, the cabinet has agreed to move forward with the amendment, and sources indicate that the finalized draft will now be presented before parliament. Once tabled, the amendment will require a two-thirds majority vote for approval in both the National Assembly and the Senate, as per constitutional requirements.
Political observers state that the coming parliamentary debate will be crucial, as consensus among major political parties will determine whether the amendment becomes law. If unresolved reservations persist — particularly from the PPP — the government may face legislative challenges that could delay or modify the amendment.
At this stage, the approval from the federal cabinet signals the government’s commitment to pursuing structural reforms, especially in defense command and national governance frameworks. However, the final outcome will depend heavily on negotiations within parliament, coalition dynamics, and how provincial concerns are addressed in the legislative process.
