Major Constitutional Amendment Sparks Debate: PM Halts Ministers’ Foreign Visits Ahead of 27th Amendment Vote

Islamabad: In a major political development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has **suspended all foreign visits** of federal ministers and directed them to **remain in Islamabad** to ensure the swift passage of the **27th Constitutional Amendment**, which is set to introduce far-reaching changes to Pakistan’s governance structure.

According to government sources, the **draft of the amendment** will be **tabled in the Senate on November 7**, with **final approval expected by November 10**. The Prime Minister has reportedly declared the legislation “a matter of national urgency,” instructing all cabinet members and ruling party lawmakers to stay present in the capital until the voting process is completed.

The proposed **27th Amendment** is said to include **major constitutional shifts**, such as:

* Transferring the **chairmanship of the Supreme Judicial Council** from the Chief Justice of Pakistan to the Chief Justice of a newly proposed Constitutional Court.
* **Removing conditions on the transfer of High Court judges** across provinces.
* Potentially **reducing the provincial share in the NFC Award**.
* Returning certain key sectors — including **population welfare and education** — from provincial control back to the federal government.

Sources said the **Senate session will continue through the weekend**, underscoring the urgency attached to the amendment’s passage.

The proposed changes have already triggered intense debate among constitutional experts and provincial representatives, who warn that the move could **undermine provincial autonomy** and reverse gains achieved under the **18th Amendment**.