Pakistan's parliament has passed a controversial constitutional amendment that expands the powers of the army chief and grants him lifelong legal immunity, while also limiting the independence of the supreme court. Critics have described the move as a 'funeral for democracy'.
The 27th constitutional amendment, passed by the lower house on Wednesday, primarily benefits Field Marshal Asim Munir, the army chief widely regarded as Pakistan's de facto ruler. The bill, already approved by the senate, will return for minor tweaks before likely being signed by President Asif Ali Zardari.
Under the amendment, Munir—nominated as a five-star general earlier this year—will be elevated to the newly created post of chief of defence forces, overseeing the army, navy, and air force. He will also receive lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution. Aqil Shah, an academic at Georgetown University, said the amendment 'makes a mockery of the principle of civilian supremacy'.
The amendment also undermines the supreme court by establishing a new federal constitutional court above it, where judges will be selected by the executive. Constitutional lawyer Salahuddin Ahmed stated that the change 'completely destroys any notion of independence in the judiciary'. Opponents argue the legislation enshrines military rule and pushes Pakistan towards authoritarianism.
Pakistan has experienced decades of military dictatorship since 1947, but since 2008 it has been a fragile democracy, albeit with the military wielding significant behind-the-scenes influence. The ruling coalition government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, justified the amendment as a means to modernise the military and judiciary.
The amendment passed swiftly with only four lawmakers voting against it, a sign of the government's weakness and Munir's untouchable power. The opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) boycotted the vote; its leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, remains imprisoned.
