HYDERABAD: A convention of lawyers held in the auditorium of High Court Bar Association (HCBA) on Saturday rejected the 26th and 27th amendments.

It termed the amendments a direct assault on basic structure of the Constitution.

“The amendments violate civilian supremacy, rule of law, independence of judiciary, fundamental rights of citizens, balance of power between state organs and federation and provincial autonomy, a resolution issued on a letterhead of the HCBA said.

The document bears signatures of newly-elected members of the Sindh Bar Council (SBC) and office-bearers of Mirpurkhas and Karachi Bar Associations, as well as HCBA General Secretary Israr Chang.

The resolution also mentions that the proposed 27th Amendment completely destroys civilian supremacy and is going to create ‘puppet constitutional courts’, practically destroying the Supreme Court.

Fears proposed 27th Amendment will completely destroy Supreme Court, other state institutions and civilian supremacy; it is bound to create ‘puppet’ constitutional courts

It says that the proposed 27th Amendment seeks to create an office of the ‘field marshal / chief of defence forces’ and other services chiefs who will hold their offices for life and could not be removed by government.

These amendments are aimed at providing constitutional cover to military rule and eroding democratic safeguards and institutional integrity, it says.

The convention also rejected the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), observing that its formation and functioning bypass constitutional institutions and concentrate powers in unelected, non-transparent entities. The SIFC undermines parliamentary oversight, provincial jurisdiction under Article 142 and Fourth Schedule, as well as democratic accountability, according to the resolution.

The convention discussed land allotments under the Green Pakistan Initiative and Corporate Farming, and resolved to oppose allocation of vast lands under the guise of environmental or economic development which threatened indigenous and agrarian communities. These initiatives violated provincial autonomy over land and agriculture, and lacked transparency and public consultation.

The resolution rejected attempts to usurp Sindh’s resources and heritage. It condemned all efforts aimed at exploiting Sindh’s natural resources and minerals, appropriate cultural and tourist sites, and undermining of Sindh’s historical identity and autonomy.

It said that such actions were unconstitutional, unjust and violative of the spirit of the Articles 172, 173 and 174 of the Constitution which protect provincial ownership and control over land and resources.

The convention urged all bar councils, bar associations, civil society and constitution defenders across Pakistan to unite against these unconstitutional moves and stand firm for the rule of law, judicial independence and dignity of federation.

STP stands against 27th Amendment

The central committee of the Sindh Taraqqi-Pasand Party (STP) also has resolved to oppose the 27th Constitutional Amendment saying that the people of Sindh would not accept it if it undermined the province’s integrity, permanent interests and resources.

The decision was taken at the committee meeting, chaired by the party’s Chairman Dr Qadir Magsi on Saturday.

The meeting stressed that instead of pushing the country into a new crisis, the rulers should ensure constitutional, economic and political rights of federating units.

It said that federation’s survival and stability could not be ensured unless provinces were given full control over their resources and ownership of their own resources was recognised.

Dr Magsi said that the people of Sindh would fight against all such attempts. He said his party stood for democratic principles, provincial rights and protection of Constitution. He urged rulers to take steps in this direction and ensure national harmony, instead of taking irresponsible steps which could create economic crisis.

The meeting also discussed the party’s organisational matters. It was attended by Jam Abdul Fatah Samejo, Gulzar Soomro, Hyder Shahani and other senior leaders.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2025