Pakistan's 27th Amendment: A Path to Military Dominance

Pakistan is at a turning point. A major change is coming with the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment. Many people believe this amendment will end the idea of a civilian government truly leading the nation. Instead, Pakistan may become a full military state. Critics fear this move will give complete power to the army chief, Asim Munir, and make the military the ultimate authority in the country.

The End of Civilian Pretense

For a long time, Pakistan has had a delicate balance between its civilian government and its powerful military. The civilian government was seen as being in charge, with the army working under it. However, this long-standing idea is now disappearing. The proposed 27th Amendment aims to solidify the military's role at the very top.

Reports suggest that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his government, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), are actively pushing these changes. Some observers believe the government is doing this out of fear, handing over complete power to the military. This shift means that a civilian government will only exist in name, while the army truly runs the country.

Key Changes in the 27th Amendment

The 27th Constitutional Amendment is being called the "Munir Empowerment Bill." It is expected to be presented in the National Assembly soon and will need a two-thirds majority to pass. Many critics, including members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and civil society groups, call this a "constitutional coup." They argue that the army is not taking power by force, but the government is handing it over willingly.

This amendment brings several major changes. These changes will affect who leads the army, how the government spends money, the power of the courts, and even future elections. The military's influence will reach into almost every part of public life.

Shifting Power to the Army Chief

The amendment directly changes the power of the Army Chief. The current Army Chief, Asim Munir, would gain significant control.

Fixed Term and Successor: The Army Chief will have a fixed five-year term. What is more, the current Army Chief will choose his own successor. This means the civilian government will have no say in who becomes the next army leader. This system ensures that future chiefs are loyal to the current command.
Field Marshal Title: Article 243 of the constitution is set to change. It will constitutionally recognize the title of "Field Marshal." This title currently has no legal standing in Pakistan's constitution or military laws. Asim Munir could be given this new constitutional authority, possibly for a lifetime term. This would greatly increase his power and influence beyond a typical term.

Military Control Over Policy and Money

The proposed amendment gives the military a direct role in how the country is run, even in areas that are usually handled by civilian leaders.

National Security Council (NSC): The National Security Council will expand. It will be headed by the military, with Asim Munir as its likely chair during crises. The NSC will control foreign policy, the economy, and decisions during emergencies. This means the army will make decisions that are typically the government's job.
Economic Decisions: The NSC will approve major economic decisions. This includes how much loan money Pakistan takes from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and which projects fall under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The army will now guide the nation's financial future.
Defense Modernization Fund: The amendment gives constitutional status to a "Defense Modernization Fund." The Pakistan Army will receive 5% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This money is meant for buying new weapons and upgrading the military. The government argues this is needed due to threats from India and internal insurgencies.
Provincial Funding Cuts: To fund the military, money for the provinces will be cut. Provinces currently receive 57% of central tax revenues. This will drop to less than 50%. This means less money for schools, hospitals, and roads in the provinces. The army will get these funds instead.

Weakening the Judiciary

The independence of Pakistan's courts will also be severely affected. The amendment aims to reduce the power of the Supreme Court and other judicial bodies.

Limited Supreme Court Powers: The Supreme Court will no longer be able to take up cases on its own (suo motu). This includes cases related to human rights, military overreach, or corruption. The court could not investigate issues like forced disappearances or large corruption scandals, like the Panama Papers case, again.
New Federal Constitutional Court: A new court, the Federal Constitutional Court, will be created to handle constitutional matters. The Supreme Court will become mainly an appeals court.
Judge Appointments: A panel will choose judges. This panel will include 30% military input and members of Parliament. The Chief Justice will not have a veto. This system will likely ensure that only judges who support the military and the ruling establishment are appointed, ending the dream of an independent judiciary.
Temporary Court Orders: If a court issues a stay order against a government action, it will expire in 30 days. This means the government can simply wait out the order and continue its work.
Immunity for Military Actions: Actions by the military and intelligence agencies (like the ISI) will be above the law. The Supreme Court cannot hear cases related to army promotions or intelligence operations. This means the army will have no accountability for human rights violations or arrests of political opponents.

Control Over Elections

The future of elections in Pakistan also looks to be under military control. The amendment seeks to ensure that electoral disputes are handled by military-appointed bodies.

Election Disputes: Disputes about election results will go to tribunals under the National Security Council. These tribunals will have military-appointed individuals. This system means that any complaints about election rigging or unfair practices will be decided by those linked to the army.
Predetermined Outcomes: Many fear that this will make future elections predetermined. The military will likely continue its long-held belief that while wars are hard to win, elections are easy to control.

International Reaction and Concerns

Despite these drastic changes, there has been little international outcry. While former US President Donald Trump is mentioned, the general global silence is concerning to many. This lack of international pressure might embolden the military to move forward with these amendments.

Imran Khan and his PTI party have stated they will not support the amendment. However, the opposition faces challenges. There are fears of military action against those who do not support the changes. The Pakistani media has also discussed the 27th Amendment, with some, like PTI's Ali Zaidi, calling it a conspiracy against the constitution. The government claims there is no outside pressure to make these changes, which suggests some external influence might be at play.

A Future Under Military Rule?

The proposed 27th Amendment signals a profound shift in Pakistan's governance. If passed, it will formally establish the military as the supreme authority in the country. This move would effectively end the concept of a truly civilian-led democratic republic. Instead, Pakistan would operate under a system where the army controls major decisions, from economic policy to judicial appointments and the electoral process.

This transformation raises serious questions about Pakistan's future. It marks a moment where the balance of power shifts decisively, making the military the key decision-maker across all aspects of national life. The dream of an independent judiciary and truly fair elections would be lost, leaving the nation firmly under military dominance.