Key Points of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Draft Revealed: Proposal Shared with PPP for Support
Islamabad: The federal government has prepared and shared the draft of the **27th Constitutional Amendment** with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), seeking its political support for approval. According to informed sources, the proposed amendment suggests **major changes to five constitutional articles** — Articles **160 (3A), 213, 243, 191A,** and **200** — with far-reaching implications for fiscal autonomy, the judiciary, and the federal structure.
Under the draft, the government proposes to **remove the constitutional guarantee** that secures the provinces’ fixed share in the **National Finance Commission (NFC) Award** — currently protected under Article 160(3A). This move would allow future adjustments to provincial revenue shares through federal discretion rather than constitutional mandate.
A major structural shift has also been proposed in the **judiciary**, with the introduction of a **new “Constitutional Court” or “Supreme Constitutional Court”** under Article 191A. This court would have the final authority over constitutional interpretation — potentially limiting the Supreme Court’s existing powers in such matters.
Furthermore, the proposed amendment includes provisions to **transfer high court judges** between provinces (under changes to Article 200) and to **return education and population planning** to the **federal government’s jurisdiction**, reversing key aspects of the 18th Amendment.
Under the suggested changes to **Article 243**, the **command of the armed forces** would rest entirely with the **federal government**, reaffirming central control over military affairs. Meanwhile, the proposed amendment to **Article 213** seeks to **reform the appointment process of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)**.
The federal government has formally handed the **27th Amendment draft to the PPP** and requested its support to secure passage in Parliament. Political observers say the proposed changes could reshape the balance of power between the federation, provinces, and key constitutional institutions.
