Pakistan’s ‘Lesson From India’ Turns Into Power Play: Tables Constitutional Amendment To Boost Army Power, Cement Asim Munir’s Control

Pakistan’s government has introduced the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament, seeking to formally strengthen the military’s command structure and redefine its constitutional relationship with the civilian government. The move, tabled in the Senate by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, aims to amend Article 243 of Pakistan’s Constitution, a step the government says is based on “lessons learned” from the country’s recent tensions with India.

The proposed changes would recognise the rank of Field Marshal in the Constitution and establish a new post called the Commander of Defence Forces (CDF), a position that would unify the command of the army, navy, and air force under one authority. Critics, however, warn that the amendment could consolidate unprecedented power in the hands of the military, particularly its current chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, while further eroding civilian oversight.

‘Lessons From India’ Behind Move

Presenting the bill, Tarar said Pakistan’s military and constitutional framework needed to evolve in line with “modern warfare realities.” He stated that “recent Pakistan-India tensions have taught us many lessons,” adding that the government must constitutionally align the armed forces’ command structure with global standards where “parallel ranks exist for Air Chief and Naval Chief.”

The proposal follows the May conflict with India, when Operation Sindoor exposed Pakistan’s gaps in joint operational command. In the aftermath, Pakistan elevated Army Chief Asim Munir to Field Marshal, a title last held by General Ayub Khan in 1959 — who later became the country’s first military ruler.

Key Provisions of 27th Amendment

As per the draft, the amendment seeks to:

•Grant constitutional recognition to the rank of Field Marshal, making it a permanent legal position rather than an honorary title.

•Create the Commander of Defence Forces (CDF) post, centralising control over all three services.

•Transfer supreme operational command from the President to the new CDF, reducing direct civilian control.

•Permit tenure extensions or open-ended terms for the CDF or Field Marshal.

According to a detailed report by Dawn, legal and constitutional experts remain divided over the necessity of such an amendment. Many argue that the proposed structural reforms could be implemented through ordinary legislation rather than constitutional changes. Dawn quoted experts warning that amending Article 243 risks “expanding military autonomy under the guise of structural integration.”

ALSO READ:

Political Response And Concerns

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that discussions on the amendment are ongoing, noting that “defence requirements have evolved and consultations are underway.” The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a coalition partner in the Shehbaz Sharif government, has expressed reservations but may extend conditional support to the bill.

ALSO READ:

Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad cautioned that the move could end civilian control of the military, describing it as “a dangerous precedent that risks becoming the worst constitutional regression in Pakistan’s history.”