Barrister Gohar slams 27th Amendment as 'betrayal of democracy'

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali said that the Constitution is a sacred responsibility, but today that responsibility was betrayed. After the 27th Amendment, democracy has been reduced to a mere name. “We will bring them before the law — and that will surely happen,” he vowed.

Addressing the National Assembly on Tuesday, he stated that a step has been taken to bury democracy, calling the 27th Amendment the continuation of the unfinished agenda of the 26th. He said the amendment was passed while officials were in Baku, labeling it the “Baku Amendment.”

He added that accountability before the law represents true supremacy of law, questioning, “In which country does the president enjoy complete immunity?” He said such amendments serve personal interests and symbolize slavery.

Barrister Gohar criticized the government for creating an elite class above the law, claiming the amendment aims to protect personal cases by establishing a separate constitutional court. “By altering Article 176, you have abolished the post of Chief Justice of Pakistan,” he said, adding that Pakistan would no longer have representation in international judicial conventions.

He concluded that constitutional changes in democracies are made through consensus, lamenting that democracy has seen a day of mourning. “The Prime Minister said no turncoats voted for them — congratulations, you passed the amendment with two of their votes.”