President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill into law, shortly after its approval in the Senate, where 64 members voted in favour and four opposed. The session, chaired by Yousuf Raza Gilani, saw PTI lawmakers staging a sit-in and chanting slogans before walking out in protest.
The amendment, introduced by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, was passed by both houses with a two-thirds majority. It establishes a Federal Constitutional Court, amends Article 6(2) to include the new court, and confirms that Chief Justice Yahya Afridi will retain his position until the end of his tenure.
Tarar clarified that the office of the Chief Justice of Pakistan has not been abolished, dismissing speculation to the contrary. The opposition, led by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, condemned the amendment as undemocratic and vowed to resist it through protests and legal action.
The ruling coalition maintains the changes will strengthen the judiciary, while critics see it as an attempt to consolidate power.
