Pakistan’s government is reportedly considering a significant Constitutional amendment, the 27th in line, which could dramatically expand the powers of Army Chief General Asim Munir. The proposed changes are understood to revise the command structure of the armed forces and potentially grant constitutional recognition to the Field Marshal rank. This development is seen as a move to secure a more extended and influential tenure for General Munir, whose retirement is slated for November.
Article 243, governing the military’s command, is a focal point for these potential revisions. The political landscape for this amendment has shifted, with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari indicating that the government has sought his party’s support for the 27th amendment. This suggests a broad political maneuver is underway.
Beyond military command, the amendment proposal reportedly includes broader institutional reforms. These could involve the creation of a new constitutional court, independent of the Supreme Court, and a restructuring of federal and provincial powers. This might include reclaiming certain responsibilities, such as education and population planning, from provincial control and potentially altering financial resource allocation mechanisms.
However, the proposed amendment faces considerable criticism. Opponents argue it could undermine judicial independence, concentrate interpretive power with the executive, and exacerbate political instability. Concerns have also been raised about eroding the principle of civilian supremacy, a long-standing debate in Pakistan’s political history marked by military involvement in governance.
For the 27th Amendment to pass, the government requires a two-thirds majority in both the National Assembly and the Senate. While it holds a strong position in the National Assembly, securing the necessary votes in the Senate, where its numbers are less dominant, will be crucial and likely requires bipartisan cooperation.