Pakistan's parliament approved the 27th constitutional amendment, granting lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution to President Asif Ali Zardari and to senior military officers, including Army Chief Asim Munir. The amendment centralises military authority under a new Chief of Defence Forces, creates a Federal Constitutional Court with exclusive jurisdiction over constitutional cases, and bars courts from questioning constitutional changes. Critics say the measures undermine judicial independence and civilian oversight. The bill passed both houses with two-thirds majorities and now awaits the president's signature.
Pakistan's 27th Amendment Grants Lifetime Immunity to President and Army Chief, Sparking Outcry
Pakistan's parliament approved the 27th constitutional amendment, granting lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution to President Asif Ali Zardari and to senior military officers, including Army Chief Asim Munir. The amendment centralises military authority under a new Chief of Defence Forces, creates a Federal Constitutional Court with exclusive jurisdiction over constitutional cases, and bars courts from questioning constitutional changes. Critics say the measures undermine judicial independence and civilian oversight. The bill passed both houses with two-thirds majorities and now awaits the president's signature.
05:20 PM, 11/13/2025Politics
Overview
Pakistan's parliament on Thursday approved the 27th constitutional amendment, a sweeping change that grants lifetime immunity from criminal prosecution to the president and to senior military officers, including the current army chief, Asim Munir. The amendment also centralises military command under a new Chief of Defence Forces post and creates a Federal Constitutional Court with exclusive jurisdiction over constitutional disputes.
Key changes
Lifetime protections for senior officials: Any officer promoted to field marshal, marshal of the air force, or admiral of the fleet will retain rank and privileges for life, remain in uniform, and be immune from criminal proceedings. Those protections had previously applied only to the head of state.
Centralised military command: The amendment gives Asim Munir—who was promoted to field marshal after clashes with India in May—command authority over the army, air force and navy and consolidates military power under a new Chief of Defence Forces role.
Judicial and constitutional restructuring: The bill creates a Federal Constitutional Court and removes the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction over constitutional matters, transferring pending petitions to the new court. It also bars courts from questioning any constitutional change "on any ground whatsoever."
Judicial administration changes: Another clause empowers the president to transfer High Court judges on the recommendation of the Judicial Commission—an alteration critics say could be used to sideline dissenting judges.
Reaction and context
Critics, including opposition parties led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and civil liberties lawyers, warned the amendment weakens civilian oversight of the military and erodes judicial independence. "This constitutional amendment will increase authoritarianism and whatever little semblance of democracy existed in this country will fade away," said Islamabad-based lawyer Osama Malik, who also said the change could upend the established parity among service chiefs.
"This is the final nail in the coffin of an independent judiciary and a functioning democracy,"
said PTI spokesman Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari. PTI secretary general Salman Akram Raja called the amendment "deeply undemocratic at its core." Opposition lawmakers staged protests in both parliamentary chambers, reportedly tearing up copies of the bill.
Legislative progress
The amendment passed both houses with the constitutionally required two-thirds majorities: the Senate approved it by a vote of 64 in favour to 4 against, and the 336-member National Assembly also cleared the bill. It now awaits President Asif Ali Zardari's signature. The amendment additionally shields President Zardari from criminal prosecution, though the immunity would not apply if he later assumes another public office.
Why it matters
Pakistan, a nuclear-armed country of more than 250 million people, has had a long history of tension between civilian institutions and the military. Observers say these constitutional changes could significantly alter the balance of power between elected officials, the judiciary and the armed forces, with far-reaching implications for governance and rule of law in Pakistan.