Picture : @OfficialDGISPR/X
Pakistan’s parliament has passed a constitutional amendment granting life-long legal immunity to its army chief while expanding his powers and curbing those of the Supreme Court, a move the opposition said has “sunk the ship of democracy” in the country.
The National Assembly approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill with more than a two-thirds majority, with 234 lawmakers voting in favour and only four opposing it, according to Dawn. The 59-clause bill had been cleared by the Senate earlier this week, receiving 64 votes in favour with no opposition votes as opposition benches boycotted proceedings.
Dawn reported that the bill will now be sent back to the Senate for reconsideration of minor amendments, after which it will move to President Asif Ali Zardari for assent. Under the amendment, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff will also hold the title of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), making the position the formal head of Pakistan’s army, navy, and air force.
The Constitutional Amendment formalises the military’s dominance under Field Marshal Asim Munir, granting him lifelong authority and immunity; the amendment restructures the military command and judiciary, making the General the most powerful man in Pakistan with constitutional protection. This effectively puts Munir above any law in Pakistan, and he can never be prosecuted for any of his actions.
The bill also preserves honorary military titles such as Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet as lifetime designations.
