Overview
- President Asif Ali Zardari signed the 27th Constitutional Amendment into law after it cleared both houses with two‑thirds majorities, including 234 votes in the National Assembly and 64 in the Senate.
- The amendment establishes a Federal Constitutional Court to take primary constitutional jurisdiction, narrowing the Supreme Court’s original powers and redefining the office and seniority of the chief justice.
- It creates a Chief of Defence Forces post that consolidates command over the army, navy and air force, with the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee’s functions absorbed into the new role.
- The law grants lifetime rank, privileges and legal immunity to holders of five‑star posts and shields the sitting army chief and the president, drawing strong opposition protests and walkouts.
- Multiple legal challenges have been filed in the Supreme Court and Sindh High Court, the chief justice has convened a full court for a clause‑by‑clause review, and the federal cabinet is preparing statutory changes to implement the revisions.