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27th Amendment Draft Reveals Chief of Defense Forces, Federal Constitutional Court
The proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment introduces the Chief of Defense Forces, gives five-star officers lifetime privileges, and establishes a Federal Constitutional Court with binding powers over all courts.
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by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-08
27th Amendment Draft Reveals Chief of Defense Forces, Federal Constitutional Court

The main provisions of the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment have been revealed, outlining significant changes to Pakistan’s military structure, judiciary, and constitutional framework.

New Military Structure:

·       A new post of Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) will be created, with the Army Chief concurrently serving as CDF, placing him at the apex of Pakistan’s armed services.

·       The offices of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) will be abolished.

·       Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet ranks will enjoy life-long uniform status, privileges, and judicial immunity comparable to the President. These positions can only be abolished through Parliamentary impeachment.

·       The Prime Minister will appoint the Commander National Strategic Command from the Army on the recommendation of the Chief of Defense Forces.

Judicial Reforms:

·       A Federal Constitutional Court will be established, with equal representation from each province.

·       The Chief Justice and judges of the Constitutional Court will be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

·       The Federal Constitutional Court will have the power to review its own decisions, and the President can refer legal matters to it for opinion.

·       The Judicial Commission will have the authority to transfer High Court judges. Refusal to accept transfer will be deemed retirement.

·       Article 184 (suo motu powers of the Supreme Court) will be abolished, and the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction over certain cases will be curtailed.

·       Judges of the Federal Constitutional Court will serve until age 68, while the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court will have a fixed three-year term.

Legal Protections for Officeholders:

·       No criminal proceedings can be initiated against the President for life or the Governor during their tenure.

·       All courts, except the Federal Constitutional Court, will be bound by the decisions of the Constitutional Court.

The amendment represents one of the most far-reaching proposed changes to Pakistan’s military and judicial framework in recent decades, potentially reshaping civil-military relations and judicial authority in the country.
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