Pakistan’s parliament has recently endorsed a constitutional amendment that grants expanded authority to the country’s army chief while limiting the jurisdiction of its Supreme Court. Critics are concerned that this move undermines democratic principles.
The lower house of parliament passed the amendment with a significant majority, as only four lawmakers opposed it. The upper house also approved the bill swiftly, despite the opposition’s boycott of the debate, which is unusual for a constitutional change that typically requires longer consideration.
Upon the president’s signature, the amendment will officially become law. The amendment elevates Army chief Asim Munir to the newly created position of Chief of Defence Forces, giving him command over the navy and air force. Additionally, he will retain his rank and receive lifelong legal immunity after completing his term.
Furthermore, the changes entail diverting constitutional cases from the Supreme Court to a newly established Federal Constitutional Court. Judges for this new court will be appointed by the government, shifting the authority from the Supreme Court, which has previously intervened in government matters and removed prime ministers.
Critics argue that these changes consolidate power within the military and the ruling coalition, without consulting opposition parties like Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The military has historically held significant influence in Pakistan’s political landscape, and these reforms provide it with a stronger constitutional foundation that may be challenging to reverse.