Federal Minister for Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain has raised concerns over the proposed lifetime immunity for the president under the 27th Amendment. He said the provision could set a concerning precedent and may not be necessary.
Speaking to Samaa TV at Parliament House, Rana Tanveer said that while the president, prime minister, and federal ministers already enjoy immunity during their official tenure, extending it for life is unusual. “Prime ministers and ministers have limited immunity to perform their duties without legal distractions,” he explained. “I don’t understand why the president requires lifetime protection.”
The minister highlighted that the purpose of immunity during office is to ensure government officials can work without frequent court interventions. He also discussed Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism operations, emphasizing the importance of a strong military chain of command.
“All branches of the armed forces are actively fighting terrorism,” Rana Tanveer said. “Strengthening the chain of command has always been a national priority, even during past tensions with India.” He reiterated Pakistan’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, referring to recent incidents, including the Wana attack, which was successfully foiled by security forces.
Rana Tanveer also commented on Pakistan’s strained relations with Afghanistan. He said repeated diplomatic efforts had failed, forcing Islamabad to take action due to continued cross-border terrorism.
Regarding India, he warned that New Delhi continues to pursue proxy warfare through Afghan territory but lacks the capacity for a direct attack on Pakistan. He praised the readiness and vigilance of Pakistan’s armed forces and intelligence agencies.
The minister further revealed that the government had sought consultation with PTI on the 27th Amendment, but discussions did not reach consensus. He stressed that the government remains committed to dialogue but will not compromise on national and constitutional integrity.
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Earlier, Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah confirmed that the revised changes to the 27th Amendment will be presented in the Senate, while Attorney General Mansoor Awan stated that the National Assembly is expected to pass the bill soon.
