ISLAMABAD, (Diya TV) — Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, gained sweeping new powers and lifelong legal immunity after lawmakers approved a controversial constitutional amendment this week. The move gives him control over all branches of the military and curbs the independence of Pakistan’s top court, deepening fears of a slide toward military-dominated rule.
Parliament passed the 27th Amendment to Pakistan’s Constitution in a rare show of unity among ruling lawmakers. The measure was approved in the Senate by a 64-0 vote on Monday and cleared the National Assembly on Wednesday with 234 votes in favor and four against.
Under the new law, Munir becomes the country’s Chief of Defense Forces, placing him above the army, navy, and air force. The amendment also grants him and Pakistan’s president lifelong immunity from prosecution. Supporters say the changes will modernize Pakistan’s military command structure and improve national defense coordination.
“War is changing, and the Pakistani military needs a robust decision-making apparatus,” said Qamar Cheema, executive director of the Sanober Institute in Islamabad. “This new position provides operational efficiency.”
Opposition leaders, legal experts, and civil rights advocates warn that the amendment cements the military’s dominance over Pakistan’s fragile democracy. They argue it effectively places the armed forces above civilian oversight and weakens judicial independence.
“He’s brought control of the military under himself,” said Ayesha Siddiqa, a scholar of Pakistan’s military affairs.
A new, more powerful court will now sit above the current Supreme Court. Its judges will be appointed by the executive branch, giving Pakistan’s leadership greater control over legal decisions. Critics fear it will become a rubber stamp for government and military interests.
“Crony judges sitting in that new court will now rubber-stamp any judgment that the government would like to get passed,” said Karachi-based lawyer Salahuddin Ahmed. Another attorney, Saad Rasool, warned that the changes would lead to “the collapse of an independent judiciary.”
Under the amendment, judges who refuse transfers between provinces ordered by political leaders must resign, further tightening government control over the judiciary.
The constitutional overhaul comes amid a wider crackdown on political dissent. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, one of the few remaining critics of the military, remains in prison on corruption charges that he denies. Lawmakers from his party boycotted this week’s parliamentary votes, calling the legislation illegitimate.
With opposition parties weakened, protests banned, and journalists reporting increased censorship, the military faces little organized resistance.
“The civil-military hybrid system is a misalliance and destined to the same fate as most unequal marriages,” said security analyst Shuja Nawaz, describing Pakistan’s blend of civilian and military rule.
The amendment formalizes what analysts call Pakistan’s long-standing “hybrid rule,” in which civilian governments share power with the military. Although no general has officially ruled the country since Pervez Musharraf’s presidency ended in 2008, the army has remained the country’s most influential institution.
Field Marshal Munir, 57, was promoted from general after a brief border conflict with India in May. Law Minister Azam Tarar called him “the hero of the whole nation” and said the new constitutional protection recognizes his leadership.
Supporters of the government argue that the military’s expanded powers are essential to maintain stability in a nation of 240 million people facing economic turmoil and growing security threats. Pakistan is battling insurgencies in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces and rising tensions with Afghanistan.
Munir has also cultivated closer ties with the United States. He met President Donald Trump twice this year, including a lunch meeting in June and a visit to the Oval Office in September. Washington and Islamabad have pledged to deepen cooperation on counterterrorism and trade, particularly in critical minerals.
The U.S. State Department recently said it aims to “advance the U.S.-Pakistan relationship,” signaling support for ongoing military and diplomatic engagement.
Analysts say the 27th Amendment marks the most dramatic shift in Pakistan’s political structure in decades. While not a formal return to martial law, it gives the army legal dominance over civilian institutions and grants its chief extraordinary, permanent authority.
“It’s not going to be martial law,” said Siddiqa, “but, in effect, it’s an even more direct military rule.”
Critics warn the changes could deepen inequality within the armed forces and fuel discontent among lower-ranking officers struggling with rising living costs. Yet, for now, Parliament, the judiciary, and much of the media remain silent.
President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to sign the bill soon, cementing Field Marshal Munir’s control — and marking a turning point in Pakistan’s democratic journey.
