ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The government is likely to introduce more amendments to the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill.
According to a report, these additional amendments will first be presented in the National Assembly, with separate lists prepared for the government’s and the opposition’s proposed changes.
Sources revealed that with the addition of new amendments, the total number of clauses in the constitutional draft from 59 to 62.
They said that one of the key proposed amendment relates to the office of the Chief Justice. Under this, the term “Chief Justice” in the bill will be replaced with “Chief Justice of Pakistan” to remove any legal ambiguity.
In addition, an amendment has also been proposed to Article 6 of the Constitution, which deals with high treason. The amendment would modify Clause 2A of Article 6. The article consists of three clauses — 6(1), 6(2), and 6(2A).
Article 6(1) states that if any person abrogates, subverts, suspends, or holds in abeyance the Constitution of Pakistan, or attempts or conspires to do so by use of force, or by any unconstitutional means, they shall be guilty of high treason.
Article 6(2) adds that anyone who aids, abets, or collaborates in such acts shall also be guilty of high treason.
Article 6(2A) provides that no act of high treason (as defined above) shall be validated by any court, including the Supreme Court or a High Court.
Under the proposed amendment, any act of treason described in subclauses (1) or (2) would not be validated or endorsed by any court, including the Federal Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, or High Courts.
Once the additional amendments are approved by the National Assembly, the bill will be sent back to the Senate for consideration.
Government sources confirmed that more changes to the 27th Amendment are being introduced, with 11 amendments suggested by the opposition.
Sources stated that before presenting the new amendments, approval will be sought from the federal cabinet.
The Senate had passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment on Monday with a two-thirds majority — 64 in support, including PTI Senator Saifullah Abro and JUI’s Ahmad Khan, with none against as the opposition boycotted voting.