ISLAMABAD: The opposition coalition, Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-Pakistan (TTAP), on Friday voiced strong opposition to the recently passed 26th and 27th Constitutional Amendments, asserting that these changes breach the foundational principles of the Constitution and insisting that it be restored to its initial form.
Following a session led by TTAP leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai in Rawalpindi, the alliance rejected the amendments and demanded the reversal of all recent constitutional alterations to restore Pakistan’s original constitutional framework.
“The amendments destabilize the core structure of the Constitution and must be annulled without delay,” the coalition stated, criticizing the federal government’s actions in enacting these changes.
Notably, the 27th Amendment, which introduced significant modifications to the military command and judicial structure, was passed through both houses of Parliament earlier this week amidst considerable opposition protests.
In response to its passage, the alliance announced plans for a mass mobilization, with PTI vowing to undo the amendments once in power. The coalition also expressed full backing for the resignations of Supreme Court Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah as a principled form of resistance.
Unanimously, TTAP endorsed the declaration issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Aman Jirga, organized by the provincial government to maintain law and order and combat terrorism.
Looking ahead, the alliance announced that members of the National Assembly and Senate will march from Parliament to the Supreme Court on Monday. Similarly, in Punjab, legislators plan to walk from the provincial assembly to the Lahore High Court, while in KP, a resolution opposing the 27th Amendment will be tabled in the provincial assembly.
A nationwide “Black Day” is scheduled for next Friday to protest the recent amendments. The alliance also demanded the immediate release of PTI founder Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and other political detainees.
The day’s session saw attendance from TTAP Secretary General Asad Qaiser, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas of Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of Awaam Pakistan, BNP leader Akhtar Mengal, Zain Shah of Sindh United Party, Sajid Tareen of BNP, TTAP Vice Chairman Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, PTI Additional Secretary General Firdous Shamim Naqvi, PTI’s counsel Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry, PTI KP Secretary General Ali Asghar Khan, and PTI Deputy Secretary General Shaukat Basra.
Details of the 27th Constitutional Amendment
The 27th Amendment enacts comprehensive reforms in Pakistan’s military and judicial systems. It designates the Chief of Army Staff as the Chief of Defence Forces, consolidating command authority over the armed forces. The ranks of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet are now established as lifetime titles.
A major overhaul involves creating the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), a new judicial body with equal provincial representation, empowered to issue suo motu notices on petitions. The amendment also assigns key roles in judicial appointments to the president and prime minister, while curbing some powers of the Supreme Court and transferring certain authorities to the FCC.
Further reforms stipulate that judges must serve at least five years in a high court before being eligible for the Constitutional Court. The Judicial Commission will oversee judge transfers, with objections reviewed by the Supreme Judicial Council.
Additionally, the amendment introduces a clause that limits presidential immunity in cases where a former president assumes any public office after completing their term.
