Pakistan tables 27th Amendment Bill: A constitutional boost for field marshal Asim Munir’s power

Military power gains constitutional backing

Pakistan has moved to strengthen the constitutional foundations of its military command, a step seen as part of a broader effort to modernise defence structures and reinforce civilian–military coordination. On Saturday, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar tabled the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the upper house, seeking to revise Article 243 to formally enshrine the appointments and parallel ranks of the Army, Air Force, and Naval chiefs.

Citing “lessons” from recent India–Pakistan stand-offs, Tarar said the changing nature of warfare demanded constitutional adjustments to reflect evolving command realities.

“Recent Pakistan–India tensions have taught us many lessons. The nature and strategy of war have completely changed. Appointment procedures and some positions were previously in the Army Act but were not mentioned in the 1973 Constitution. Parallel ranks exist worldwide for Air Chief and Naval Chief,” Tarar said.

However, the move has drawn sharp scrutiny, with critics warning that it could tilt Pakistan’s delicate civil–military balance further in favour of the army establishment.

The move comes in the wake of heightened regional tensions. On 7 May, India launched Operation Sindoor against terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing over 100 militants and targeting key Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba camps. The operation, conducted in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, escalated into a major India–Pakistan confrontation, prompting a military response from Islamabad.

By 10 May, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a truce between the two nations, though New Delhi denied any third-party mediation.

Just ten days later, Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal — making him the principal military adviser to the prime minister and the president on all national security matters. Before Munir, only General Ayub Khan had held this position, having elevated himself to Field Marshal in 1959.

The proposed constitutional amendments, therefore, come at a crucial juncture and appear to further consolidate Munir’s position at the apex of Pakistan’s power structure.

Here’s how:

Formal recognition of Field Marshal: The Field Marshal rank would receive constitutional status, transforming it from an honorary title into a legally recognised position. This would grant Munir secure legal standing, protecting his tenure from dismissal or demotion.

Creation of ‘Commander of Defence Forces’ (CDF): The amendment proposes a new role overseeing all three services, army, navy, and air force. Munir could potentially assume this post, consolidating authority across the military hierarchy.

Shift of supreme command away from president to CDF: The change would effectively reduce the operational control of the president and prime minister over the armed forces, centralising command in the CDF or Field Marshal.

Tenure extension: The amendment’s new language allows for an extended or potentially open-ended term for the Field Marshal, giving Munir greater continuity and influence in state affairs.

Centralisation of civilian government functions: Federal ministries such as education and population welfare would be brought under central control, strengthening Islamabad’s, and by extension, the military’s grip.

Reduction of provincial autonomy: By curbing provincial powers and reallocating federal resources, the amendment would weaken regional checks on central and military authority.

According to Dawn, legal experts in Pakistan remain divided over whether such changes necessitate a constitutional amendment. They argue that reforms to modernise command structures or create a Chief of Defence Staff-type position could be enacted through ordinary legislation or defence regulations, without altering Article 243.

Another complication arises from the 26th Amendment, which extended the army chief’s tenure from three to five years. Munir, appointed under the earlier law and later promoted to the unrecognised title of Field Marshal, now sits at the centre of legal ambiguity. Experts are split on whether his term automatically extends under the new provisions or requires a fresh notification.

As Dawn noted, this uncertainty fuels suspicion that the true intent behind the 27th Amendment is not merely to clarify procedure, but to cement the military’s constitutional dominance and entrench Asim Munir’s power in Pakistan’s political framework.