Pakistan to Grant Army Constitutional Authority: Shahbaz Sharif Government to Push 27th Amendment

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Islamabad: The Shahbaz Sharif government in Pakistan is set to introduce the 27th Constitutional Amendment, a move widely seen as paving the way for overt civil-military rule in the country. Historically, Pakistan’s military has wielded power behind the scenes, but this amendment is expected to provide constitutional legitimacy to its influence. Analysts suggest the amendment is tailored to empower Army Chief Asim Munir, giving him virtually unlimited authority and enabling him to govern alongside the civilian administration.

Amendment to be Presented on 7 November

According to CNN-News18, the proposed amendment will be tabled in Pakistan’s parliament on 7 November. The 27th Amendment could significantly impact judicial independence and provincial powers, in addition to securing the position and authority of Field Marshal Asim Munir. Experts argue that the amendment is strategically designed to protect Munir’s influence during his tenure.

Bilawal’s Tweet Sparks Revelation

The government had consistently denied any plans for the constitutional change. However, the disclosure came via a tweet by PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who revealed that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had reached out to his party for support on the amendment. Bilawal highlighted that the proposed changes included provisions regarding constitutional courts and judicial transfers, but the most contentious aspect concerns Article 243, which governs the command and control of Pakistan’s armed forces.

Army Chief’s Influence to Grow

The amendment to Article 243 is widely viewed as strengthening Asim Munir’s authority, potentially expanding military influence over civil matters. The move comes after Munir was awarded the rank of Field Marshal in May, following military skirmishes with India. He is only the second Pakistani officer to receive this rank after Ayub Khan. Notably, Pakistan’s constitution and military framework do not provide a standard protocol for the Field Marshal rank, making this amendment a potential vehicle to formally enshrine Munir’s status and power.

While the Shahbaz Sharif government has maintained official silence on the matter, observers believe the 27th Amendment signals a shift from behind-the-scenes influence to direct constitutional empowerment of the military, raising concerns about the balance of civilian and military authority in Pakistan.

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