Breaking News: PM Directs PML-N Senators to Withdraw Proposed Immunity Amendment

Islamabad, November 9, 2025 — Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the immediate withdrawal of a controversial constitutional amendment proposed by a few senators from his own party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). The proposed amendment aimed to grant immunity to the Prime Minister.

The directive was issued shortly after the Prime Minister’s return from Azerbaijan, upon which he was informed about the tabling of the amendment bill in the Senate.

Key Details of the Directive

• Order for Immediate Withdrawal: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif specifically instructed that the constitutional amendment, which sought to introduce immunity for the premier, be withdrawn without delay.
• Principle of Accountability: In a public post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the Prime Minister emphasized the core democratic principle that an elected Prime Minister must remain “fully accountable, both before the court of law and the people.”
• Proposal Not Cabinet-Approved: The Prime Minister acknowledged the “intent in good faith” of the proposing senators but clarified that the specific proposal regarding PM immunity was not part of the draft approved by the Cabinet.

Context of the Move

The development comes against the backdrop of ongoing legislative efforts surrounding a broader set of constitutional changes, specifically the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2025. While the main 27th Amendment focuses on restructuring the military command and the judicial system (including potentially creating a Federal Constitutional Court), the immunity clause appears to have been an unsanctioned addition by a small group of PML-N senators.

The swift action by the Prime Minister to publicly reject and order the withdrawal of the immunity clause underscores his government’s stated commitment to democratic accountability and distance from attempts to shield public office holders from legal scrutiny.

The move is expected to be finalized in the Senate, bringing a rapid end to the brief controversy that threatened to overshadow the government’s efforts to pass the main 27th Constitutional Amendment.