Pakistan's 27th Constitutional Amendment: How Field Marshal Asim Munir Could Gain Unprecedented Power

Following his elevation to Field Marshal after India's Operation Sindoor in May, Army Chief Asim Munir's growing influence in Pakistan may soon expand further as the Shehbaz Sharif administration prepares to introduce constitutional amendments potentially increasing military authority.

The government has confirmed plans to present the 27th constitutional amendment to Parliament soon, with proposed changes specifically addressing armed forces command structure. This development has raised concerns among critics who fear it will strengthen Munir's control over Pakistan, a nation historically challenged by complex civil-military relations.

Speculation about constitutional modifications intensified after Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari revealed the government had approached him seeking support for the 27th amendment.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed these reports during a Senate session, stating, "Of course, the government is bringing it and will bring it... The 27th Amendment will arrive... and is about to arrive. We will try to table it in accordance with principles, laws and the Constitution."

Dar dismissed opposition concerns from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party about improper constitutional change processes, assuring that, "It is not the case that the amendment is tabled and there is voting on it in a haphazard, ad hoc manner; this will not happen."

According to Pakistani media reports, the proposed changes would modify Article 243, which governs Army Chief appointments and armed forces command. Additional proposals reportedly include establishing constitutional courts, streamlining the chief election commissioner appointment process, reinstating executive magistrates, and addressing judicial transfers.

The amendment would also potentially reduce provincial shares of federal resources, shift control of education and population welfare from provinces to the federal government, and eliminate protections for provincial shares under the National Finance Commission.

Former Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar criticized the amendment, stating it seeks to introduce a new Commander-in-Chief position that would fundamentally restructure Pakistan's civil-military hierarchy. "This move would completely alter the country's infrastructure... Are you handing over the country to someone else? What happened to the idea of civilian supremacy? This amendment would place civilian institutions under the establishment, shaking the nation's foundations," Khokhar remarked.

PPP Senator Raza Rabbani, a key architect of the 2010 18th amendment that devolved powers to provinces, warned that the proposed changes would damage provincial autonomy and "undo the good work of the 18th amendment."

For passage, the amendment requires a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and National Assembly. While the government currently commands the necessary 233 members in the 336-member National Assembly, it holds only 61 seats in the 96-member Senate and would need at least three opposition members to achieve the required majority. Support may come from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl, led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Hamid Khan has declared his party will oppose the amendment and resist what he described as efforts to undermine the constitution.

Since being appointed Field Marshal following India's Operation Sindoor in May, Munir has worked to solidify his position in Pakistan's political hierarchy. He has participated in numerous international delegations and received praise from US President Donald Trump for his contributions to trade negotiations between the United States and Pakistan.