ISLAMABAD: After a proposal included in the 27th Amendment bill sought immunity for his office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday ordered its withdrawal, saying that the premier must remain “fully accountable”.

“On my return from Azerbaijan, I have learnt that some senators belonging to our party have submitted an amendment regarding immunity for the prime minister,” he said in a tweet.

“While I acknowledge their intent in good faith, the proposal was not part of the Cabinet-approved draft. I have instructed that it be withdrawn immediately,” PM Shehbaz wrote.

He added, “As a matter of principle, an elected prime minister must remain fully accountable, both before the court of law and the people.”

Separately, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, while speaking to reporters after a parliamentary panel meeting, said that PM Shehbaz told him earlier that “he had no interest in getting immunity,” owing to the executive nature of his role as the prime minister.

“The other positions being granted immunity do not have any executive functions,” Mr Tarrar explained.

It may be recalled that government senators Anusha Rahman and Khalil Tahir Sandhu tabled a proposal to extend the immunity currently enjoyed by the president under Article 248 of the Constitution to include the prime minister. The clause sought to extend presidential immunity to the prime minister, effectively barring criminal proceedings against the premier during the term in office.

PM hosts dinner

Later, PM Shehbaz hosted a dinner for senators at the PM House and congratulated them on the approval of the 27th Amendment bill by the joint parliamentary committee. “We have all struggled jointly for strengthening of the democracy, broader national interest, consensus among provinces, and improving governance,” he added.

The PM said whatever the government has achieved; it was because of the support of the allied parties.

“Pakistan’s success on diplomatic front is a reflection of coordination and harmony among the ruling coalition,” he said. The PM said the country was progressing economic and due to economic stability, the country was heading in the right direction.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2025