ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday strongly rejected the UN human rights chief’s criticism of the recently adopted 27th Constitutional Amendment, saying the remarks ignore the country’s democratic process and misrepresent the facts on the ground.
In a sharply worded statement, the Foreign Office said the amendment was approved by a two-third majority in parliament, calling it a “product of Pakistan’s democratic system” and a decision made squarely by elected representatives. The ministry stressed that matters related to constitutional changes fall entirely within parliament’s jurisdiction and should be respected as such.
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According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan’s political structure is built on democratic values that uphold civil liberties and political rights. Officials noted that the amendment was passed strictly under the procedures laid out in the Constitution, insisting there is nothing irregular or alarming about the changes.
The statement reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to human dignity, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. It added, however, that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had overlooked Pakistan’s explanations and failed to acknowledge “ground realities” in his assessment.
“We expect the High Commissioner to respect parliament’s sovereign authority and avoid comments that appear politically motivated,” the statement said.
The UN rights chief, Volker Türk, had raised concerns on Friday, warning that the 27th Amendment could weaken judicial independence and reduce oversight over the executive branch. He argued that the creation of a new Federal Constitutional Court — which will take over the Supreme Court’s role in constitutional cases — risks placing too much authority under the government’s influence.
Türk also pointed to changes in how judges will be appointed, promoted and transferred, suggesting that the revised system may expose the judiciary to political pressure. He further cautioned that new immunity clauses included in the amendment could erode the checks that normally restrain executive power.
Despite these concerns, the amendment is now law. President Asif Ali Zardari gave his assent earlier this month after both houses of parliament passed the bill amid strong protests from the opposition.
With the amendment now embedded in the Constitution, the debate over its long-term impact on Pakistan’s judicial and political landscape is likely to continue.
