The federal government on Saturday tabled the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Senate.

The draft, presented by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, was referred by Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani to a parliamentary committee for further deliberation.

According to the proposed amendment, changes are being introduced to 48 articles of the constitution.

One of its central features is the establishment of a “federal constitutional court”, which will function separately from the Supreme Court.

The new court will have jurisdiction over constitutional interpretation, fundamental rights, and disputes between the federation and the provinces.

The constitutional court will be based in Islamabad. Its chief justice will serve a three-year term, while other judges will retire at the age of 68.

For the appointment of judges, both the chief justice of the Supreme Court and the chief justice of the constitutional court will be part of the Judicial Commission, while parliament will determine the total number of judges.

The decisions of the constitutional court will be binding on all other courts, whereas the Supreme Court will primarily deal with appeals and general cases, thereby reducing its current powers.

The amendment also proposes major changes to the military structure.

The post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will be abolished, and the Army Chief will assume the additional role of “Chief of Defence Forces”.

Under the proposed amendment to Article 243, the position of Chairman Joint Chiefs will cease to exist from November 27, 2025.

As Chief of Defence Forces, the Army Chief will appoint the head of the National Strategic Command in consultation with the prime minister.

The head of the command will be a serving military officer.

The amendment also allows the government to promote military officers to honorary ranks such as Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet.

The rank and privileges of a Field Marshal will be lifelong, granting them permanent status.

Other key provisions include expanding the prime minister’s authority to appoint up to seven advisers, increasing the number of advisers for provincial chief ministers, and restructuring the rules of the Supreme Judicial Council.

Amendments are proposed to Articles 42, 63A, and 175 to 191, which will bring significant changes to the powers of both the judiciary and the executive.