Pakistan Passes 27th Amendment, Creates Chief of Defence Forces Role for Asim Munir

Pakistan's federal cabinet approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill on November 8, 2025, introducing sweeping changes to military command by creating the post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and abolishing the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) effective November 27. The bill, tabled in the Senate by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and referred to joint standing committees, amends Article 243 to place the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) as CDF with unified oversight of the armed forces, while formalising lifetime privileges for the Field Marshal rank—currently held by General Asim Munir since his May promotion. Officials cited lessons from the four-day India-Pakistan conflict in May, triggered by India's Operation Sindoor strikes on terror infrastructure following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, as impetus for integrated command in modern warfare.

The amendment empowers the President, on the Prime Minister's advice, to appoint the COAS as CDF, who will then nominate the National Strategic Command head (from the Army) with PM consultation. It also establishes ranks like Marshal of the Air Force and Admiral of the Fleet with lifelong status, revocable only by Parliament. Munir, elevated to field marshal post-conflict amid claims of repelling Indian aggression, stands to gain consolidated authority, with critics viewing it as entrenching military dominance over civilian oversight. The bill further proposes a Federal Constitutional Court, judicial appointment reforms, and provincial cabinet adjustments, drawing opposition accusations of undermining democracy.

Opposition PTI leaders boycotted committee discussions, labelling the bill a "conspiracy against the Constitution" rushed without transparency, while demanding debate in the full Senate. Government allies, including PPP, backed the draft after concessions like presidential lifetime immunity, with Tarar emphasising consensus-building. Analysts note the timing aligns with Munir's impending retirement and post-Sindoor restructuring needs, potentially modelling India's Chief of Defence Staff while reducing presidential and CJCSC roles.

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As Pakistan navigates civil-military tensions and regional rivalries, the amendment—if passed—could redefine power dynamics, cementing the army's constitutional primacy amid ongoing debates over judicial independence and provincial rights. With coalition support secured via video-linked cabinet approval from Azerbaijan by PM Shehbaz Sharif, passage appears likely despite protests, marking a pivotal shift six months after the May clashes that exposed coordination gaps.

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