Pakistan’s Parliament on Monday passed the landmark 27th Constitutional Amendment, a move that effectively formalises the supremacy of the military establishment under Field Marshal Asim Munir.
Unified Command Under the Army Chief
The amendment introduces a major restructuring of Pakistan’s military command hierarchy.
All branches of the armed forces — including the army, navy, and air force — will now fall under the operational purview of the army chief’s office, effectively centralising control and reducing the role of civilian defence institutions.
Analysts suggest that this consolidation enhances the institutional role of the military, diminishing the oversight of elected civilian authorities in defence and security affairs.
Also Read – PM Modi Offers Condolences Over Red Fort Blast, Reviews Situation With Home Minister Amit Shah
Curbing Judicial Oversight
A key feature of the amendment is the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court, aimed at limiting the Supreme Court’s power to review or intervene in political or military matters.
Sources said this mechanism is intended to prevent judicial scrutiny of military-backed governance or electoral manoeuvring, thereby shielding the establishment from political accountability.
Role of ISI in Drafting the Legislation
Sources further revealed that legal officers of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) were directly involved in drafting substantial sections of the amendment. The stated goal was to institutionalise military oversight of the judiciary, strengthening the army’s dominance within Pakistan’s governance system.
Political and Provincial Implications
The amendment also limits provincial autonomy while expanding the federal government’s discretionary powers in key administrative and electoral appointments.
According to intelligence inputs, the measure serves as a pre-election control mechanism, designed to contain dissent in regions such as Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Also Read – Pakistan’s Troubled Frontier: TTP Expands Control in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Strategic Significance
Observers believe that these changes reinforce a military-dominated regime, aligning with Pakistan’s commitment to safeguard China’s CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) infrastructure and investments.
The move marks yet another step in Pakistan’s long history of military dominance over its political and judicial institutions.
