US EditionThis Week in Explainers: How Pakistan Is Set to Give Army Chief Asim Munir Greater Powers
The constitutional changes create a Chief of Defence Forces role with overall military command and grant lifetime immunity to the army chief and former president, officials said.
- On Monday, Pakistan's Senate passed the draft Twenty-Seventh Amendment and sent it to the National Assembly, giving Asim Munir overall command as Chief of Defence Forces with lifetime rank protections.
- Earlier this week, Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister, spent days courting coalition partners including PPP, MQM-P, and PML-Q to secure the two-thirds majority; opposition parties including JUI-F and PTI boycotted the debate.
- Law Minister Tarar proposed creating a Federal Constitutional Court to take over constitutional petitions, abolishing the Chairman Joint Chiefs post on 27 November, and granting lifetime immunity to Field Marshal Asim Munir and President Zardari.
- Analysts cautioned that the changes could give the military greater constitutional backing that would be difficult to reverse after the Senate passed the measure unusually quickly in about three hours, and it now moves to the National Assembly for final approval.
- In recent years, Article 243 of Pakistan's Constitution has been amended five times since 1973, reflecting recurring shifts in civilian-military control, with legal experts warning of increasing military dominance, as noted by The Dawn.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Is Pakistan becoming a constitutional dictatorship under Munir's rule?
Asim Munir’s quiet constitutional coup could reshape Pakistan forever. With lifetime authority, immunity, and control over nuclear and hypersonic arsenals, the army chief emerges not just as a general, but as a ruler whose power the world cannot ignore.
The Straits Times
Khaleej TimesPakistan's army chief to get expanded powers under proposed reform
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s powerful army chief will be given an expanded role and the remit of its Supreme Court curbed under constitutional changes passed by one of the two houses of parliament on Monday, a move opposition leaders say will undermine democracy. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Unopposed Munir, disarmed SC—How Pakistan's new proposed constitutional amendment highlights a pattern
Munir was first promoted to Field Marshal after he oversaw Pakistan response to Op Sindoor. Now, the new amendment, if passed, grants lifetime status & constitutional protection.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is preparing to pass a significant constitutional amendment bill that would expand Asim Munir's powers. The opposition has criticized it, warning that it would shake the foundations of the Constitution.
Asim Munir due for another promotion, likely to become Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces
Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir is set to take on a new role as Chief of Defence Forces. This change comes with a proposed constitutional amendment that will abolish the current Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee position. The amendment also formally recognizes Munir's Field Marshal title. The move consolidates top military command. Political debate surrounds the proposed changes.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 89% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
