Pakistan's Army Chief Gains New Powers Amid Controversy

Sat Nov 15 2025 02:48:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Pakistani parliament has granted army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir significant new powers, raising concerns over the military's growing influence and potential threat to democracy.

The new 27th constitutional amendment gives Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, extensive powers, including lifetime immunity from prosecution and oversight of the navy and air force. Critics argue this move undermines civilian governance and tilts the balance of power toward autocracy. Supporters assert it will streamline military and judicial operations, yet the changes have ignited fears of authoritarianism as they limit judicial independence and further concentrate military authority in Pakistan.

Pakistan's parliament has voted to give army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir new powers and lifetime immunity from arrest and prosecution, a move that critics say paves the way towards autocracy.

The 27th constitutional amendment, which was signed into law on Thursday, will also make significant changes to the way the country's top courts operate.

Those defending the changes say they provide clarity and administrative structure to the armed forces, while helping to ease a backlog in the courts.

Pakistan's military has long played a prominent role in the nuclear-armed country's politics - sometimes seizing power in coups, and, on other occasions, pulling levers behind the scenes.

Throughout its history, Pakistan has oscillated from more civilian autonomy to overt control under military leaders like General Pervez Musharraf and General Zia-ul-Haq. Analysts refer to the balance between civilian and military as hybrid rule.

Some see the amendment as a sign that the balance is shifting in the military's favour.

For me, this amendment is the latest indication, perhaps the strongest yet, that Pakistan is now experiencing not a hybrid system, but a post-hybrid system, says Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Center's South Asia Institute in Washington.

The latest amendment means that Munir, who has been army chief since November 2022, will now also oversee Pakistan's navy and air force.

The expectation is that this will give him a prominent role in public life for as long as he is alive.

Supporters argue it clarifies Pakistan's military command structure.

But others see it as ceding power to the military, with little balance remaining between military and civilian authorities.

Under the amendment a new Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) will be created which will determine constitutional questions. Critics express concerns over the increasing influence of the executive in judicial appointments and the potential erosion of fair trial rights.

Recent resignations from the Supreme Court following the amendment’s passage highlight the dissatisfaction within the judiciary regarding these changes. Judges can now be transferred without consent to ensure staffing across the country, raising further fears of governmental pressure on the judiciary.

Critics worry that these developments signal a troubling trend towards authoritarianism in Pakistan, further limiting public trust in governmental and judicial processes.