ISLAMABAD: A tense debate gripped the Senate as lawmakers examined the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment, with PTI’s Senator Ali Zafar issuing a stark caution that altering the “delicate balance” of the 1973 Constitution could shake Pakistan’s democratic architecture to its core.
Zafar, speaking with unusual urgency, reminded legislators that the Constitution rests on five central pillars: a federal structure, supremacy of the Constitution over parliament, fundamental rights, an independent judiciary, and the primacy of civilian authority. Any move that weakens even one of these, he warned, risks unsettling the entire system.
The senator argued that provisions in the amendment could curtail provincial autonomy, expand executive influence, and reconfigure judicial appointments in ways that undermine institutional independence. He likened constitutional tampering to disturbing the foundation of a building — one careless adjustment can crack the walls, ceilings and future of the entire structure.
Zafar also criticised what he described as the “unusual speed” behind the amendment’s progress, contrasting it with the long, debate-heavy timelines that characterised previous constitutional overhauls. He insisted that true reform requires national consensus, not rushed decisions that lack public engagement.
“We are standing at a historic crossroads,” he warned. “If this Parliament takes a step that distorts the Constitution, it won’t only affect today’s vote — it will shape the destiny of generations.”
As the Senate continues deliberations, the discussion has widened beyond technical amendments. At stake is the character of Pakistan’s democratic order, the balance between its institutions, and the future of its constitutional safeguards.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.