New draft of 27th Amendment shields president from legal proceedings for life

ISLAMABAD: A clause has been added to the new draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment stating that no case can be filed against the president of Pakistan, nor can the president be arrested, for life.

The amendment to Article 248 was included in the draft on the demand of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

According to sources, allied parties continue to review and suggest changes to the draft of the 27th Amendment. The proposed change ensures that the president will remain immune from legal proceedings or punishment during and after the term.

Sources said the PPP had pushed for the inclusion of this amendment during the joint parliamentary committee meeting, which has now been incorporated into Article 248 of the draft.

Meanwhile, government senators Anusha Rahman and Khalil Tahir Sandhu have tabled a constitutional amendment in the Senate seeking to extend the immunity currently granted to the president under Article 248 of the Constitution to the prime minister as well.

If approved, the proposed amendment would bar legal proceedings in criminal cases against the prime minister during the term in office.

According to sources, the amendment has been introduced to expand the scope of immunity available to the president within the existing constitutional framework to include the prime minister.

Constitutional experts say that after the proposed change to Article 248, the prime minister will also be protected from legal prosecution while holding office.

Senator Anusha Rahman stated that the move is necessary to enable prime ministers to perform their constitutional and legal responsibilities more effectively.

Senator Khalil Tahir Sandhu said that the amendment aims to prevent disruptions in governance and decision-making caused by legal complications.

The purpose of the amendment, it was clarified, is to shield the prime minister(s) from legal entanglements during their tenure and ensure continuity in government affairs.

Further debate on the amendment is expected in the Senate, followed by final voting after approval from the relevant committee.

Earlier, the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill was presented in the Senate on Saturday and referred to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice, shortly after the federal cabinet approved its draft.

The Senate session, which began with a delay around 1:15 pm, opened with Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar requesting suspension of the question hour and other proceedings so he could brief senators on the proposed amendment.

Earlier, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) staged a walkout from the first meeting of the joint parliamentary standing committee on law and justice formed to consult on the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment bill.