Overview
- President Asif Ali Zardari signed the 27th Constitutional Amendment after Parliament passed it with the government claiming a two‑thirds majority as opposition members protested and boycotted proceedings.
- The federal cabinet approved amendments to the Army, Air Force and Navy Acts and cleared a draft Federal Constitutional Court (Procedure & Practice) Act, including measures tied to a new Chief of Defence Forces role and the post‑retirement end of the CJCSC position.
- Supreme Court Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah submitted resignations, calling the amendment a grave assault on the Constitution and the court’s independence.
- Justice Salahuddin Panhwar urged Chief Justice Yahya Afridi to convene a full‑court meeting for a clause‑by‑clause review, warning the changes could upset the balance of powers.
- Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the senior‑most between the Supreme Court Chief Justice and the Federal Constitutional Court Chief Justice will serve as Chief Justice of Pakistan and detailed the process for handling alleged floor‑crossing through references and Election Commission review.