ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the immediate withdrawal of a proposed amendment in the 27th constitutional amendment bill that aimed to grant immunity to the Prime Minister.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the Prime Minister mentioned that upon his return from Azerbaijan, he learned that some senators from his party had introduced an amendment in the Senate concerning the Prime Minister’s immunity.
He clarified that this clause was not part of the draft approved by the federal cabinet. The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the senators for their intentions but instructed them to withdraw the proposal immediately.
An elected Prime Minister is undoubtedly answerable to the law and to the court of the people, PM stated, reaffirming his government’s commitment to accountability and constitutional transparency.
On the other side, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said on Saturday that the constitutional committee has completed around 85 percent of its work and expressed hope that the remaining tasks would be finalized by the end of the day.
Addressing journalists, the minister said that the committee would also review and consider the proposals of other political parties, including the MQM, after due deliberation.
Tarar informed the media that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who returned from Azerbaijan late last night, had rejected proposals related to immunity for the Prime Minister’s office earlier in the morning.
The Attorney General and I were called by the Prime Minister this morning, where he made it clear that he does not seek any form of immunity, the Law Minister said. He added that the functions related to immunity for the President and other constitutional positions are different and should not be compared to those of the Prime Minister.
Tarar further shared that members of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) participated in the committee’s meeting yesterday and informed the body about the party’s policy stance.
Expressing his views on the legislative process, the minister said, “I believe parliamentary parties should exercise their right to vote responsibly and in accordance with democratic norms.”
He reiterated that the government is committed to ensuring transparency, consultation, and consensus in all constitutional and legislative matters.
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