🇵🇰 Pakistan Constitution: Is the Country Moving Toward Dictatorship?

Pakistan’s Decision to Amend Its Constitution

Pakistan has decided to make changes to its Constitution.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government has presented a new constitutional amendment bill, which is scheduled for a vote in Parliament on November 10.

The proposed amendment aims to expand the powers of the Army Chief, General Asim Munir.
It has faced strong opposition from major political parties, who claim this move could mark the “beginning of the death of judicial independence.”

Here is a detailed overview of what the new constitutional amendment contains and why it has become so controversial.

What’s in the Amendment Bill?

Last week, Pakistan’s Cabinet approved the 27th Constitutional Amendment, introducing several controversial provisions.
If passed, it will bring major structural changes to both the military and the judiciary in Pakistan.

Key Changes Proposed

After India’s Operation Sindoor, the Shehbaz Sharif government promoted Army Chief Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal.
Now, the amendment seeks to give legal and constitutional status to this position.

Through a change in Article 243, the bill proposes the creation of a new and powerful post called “Chief of Defence Forces.”
This will grant the Army Chief official constitutional authority over defence and strategic decision-making.

Experts warn that this could bring the military directly to the center of Pakistan’s political system, reducing civilian oversight and deepening military dominance.

Major Impact on the Judiciary

Another key element of the 27th Amendment involves restructuring the judicial system.

Federal Constitutional Court

The amendment proposes a new court called the Federal Constitutional Court.
This court would handle:

All constitutional disputes,

Internal government conflicts, and

All cases under Article 199.

This would effectively reduce the powers of Pakistan’s Supreme Court, which could be limited only to civil and criminal cases.

Chief Justice and Tenure

The Chief Justice of the new court will rank above Supreme Court judges.

The retirement age for this position will be increased to 68 years.

Legal experts believe these changes could increase executive control over the judiciary, threatening judicial independence and checks and balances within the state.

Nationwide Opposition and Protests

The proposed amendment has sparked widespread protests and political unrest across Pakistan.

The ruling coalition claims that these reforms will help reduce the backlog of cases, streamline court procedures, and minimize judicial politicization.

However, opposition parties have called the amendment “extremely dangerous” and anti-democratic.

A newly formed coalition named Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan has announced countrywide protests against the bill.

Opposition Parties Involved

The alliance includes:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) – led by Imran Khan

Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen

Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party

Balochistan National Party (Mengal)

Sunni Ittehad Council, and others

What Political Leaders Are Saying

Mahmood Khan Achakzai

Leader of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Achakzai appealed to all political forces to unite against the amendment, calling it “an action that shakes the very foundation of the Constitution.”

Allama Raja Nasir Abbas

Leader of the Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen, he warned that Pakistan’s democratic institutions are becoming paralyzed and urged citizens to stand against this “dark and dangerous constitutional amendment.”

Barrister Gohar Ali Khan

Chairman of PTI, he alleged that the amendment would destroy judicial independence and threaten national unity.

Experts and Former Officials Express Concern

A senior lawyer told the Dawn newspaper that by limiting the Supreme Court to civil and criminal cases, it will become “no different from a district court.”

Lt. Gen. Asif Yasin Malik (Retd), former Defence Secretary of Pakistan, also raised serious concerns.
He said that appointing Field Marshal Asim Munir as the Chief of Defence Forces with authority over the Army, Navy, and Air Force could lead to a national crisis.

Observers note that opposition parties, lawyers, and retired defence officers now appear united against the bill.

What Happens Next?

The final vote on the 27th Amendment Bill is set for November 10.

Despite intense protests, the government is determined to get the bill passed.

The bill was introduced in the Senate (Upper House) by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.
To pass, it needs a two-thirds majority (at least 64 votes) in both houses of Parliament.

Once approved by both houses, it will go to the President for his signature — after which it will officially become law.

Global Attention

Given its potential to reshape Pakistan’s political system, this amendment is being closely watched both domestically and internationally.