Overview
- President Asif Ali Zardari signed the 27th Constitutional Amendment on November 13 after two‑thirds approvals in both the National Assembly and the Senate.
- The reform establishes a Federal Constitutional Court with binding authority over constitutional cases, substantially narrowing the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction.
- The National Assembly also passed rapid follow‑on changes to the Army, Air Force and Navy Acts and to Supreme Court practice rules to implement the new framework.
- The army chief becomes Chief of Defence Forces with a five‑year term as the CJCSC post is abolished, and Field Marshal Asim Munir’s tenure will reset upon his CDF notification.
- Five‑star ranks are formalized with lifelong privileges and immunity, drawing legal petitions, bar protests and political opposition as CJP Yahya Afridi convenes a full‑court session and Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah resign in protest.