According to sources, the bill is likely to be approved by November 10 with proceedings expected to continue till November 14.
The amendment introduces major reforms to the judicial structure and provincial financial powers. Under the proposed 27th Amendment, the Supreme Judicial Council and the Judicial Commission will be headed by the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, replacing the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
The amendment also seeks to abolish the requirement for consent from the concerned judge and the Chief Justice in cases of High Court judge transfers.
Additionally, it includes proposals to reduce provincial shares in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award and to withdraw Population Welfare and Education Departments from the provinces, bringing them under federal jurisdiction.
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Sources stated that the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment will be tabled in the upcoming Senate session on November 7. The proceedings will continue through the weekend, including Saturday, a public holiday.
The Senate will debate the amendment on Friday and Saturday before forwarding it to the relevant committee.
Sources say the PM Shehbaz Sharif has decided to take coalition partners into confidence regarding the proposed legislation. A dinner is expected to be hosted soon by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for allied members, with the Awami National Party (ANP) also invited.
On the other hand, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also called a crucial meeting of the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) on November 6 to decide its official stance on the draft and future political strategy.
The government requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament to pass a constitutional amendment and the support of the PPP is essential for the approval of this highly consequential legislative package.
