More Power for Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir? Inside the Proposed Constitutional Amendment

Over the past six months, Field Marshal Asim Munir has cemented his position as one of the most powerful figures in Pakistan. Now, Islamabad’s latest move to introduce a constitutional amendment—believed to be tailored to safeguard Munir’s position—has intensified debate about the growing dominance of the military over civilian institutions.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari first revealed plans for the 27th Constitutional Amendment in a tweet, stating that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had reached out to his party to seek support for the proposed changes. The announcement has triggered a wave of speculation about the amendment’s real intent.

Pakistan Mulls Changes to Article 243 of Its Constitution

The most contentious aspect of the amendment appears to involve Article 243, which defines the command and control of Pakistan’s armed forces. The Constitution clearly states that “the federal government shall have control and command of the armed forces.”

Although the Sharif government has maintained secrecy around the move, proposed changes to Article 243 are seen as a calculated effort to strengthen Asim Munir’s authority and grant constitutional legitimacy to his extended tenure. Many believe this will further blur the already thin line between civilian and military governance in Pakistan.

Given Pakistan’s history—where the military has often dominated its democratic institutions—such a development is hardly surprising. Earlier this year, Munir became only the second Army officer after Ayub Khan to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal, a title that currently lacks explicit constitutional validation.

Last year, the government controversially extended the service terms of Pakistan’s armed forces chiefs from three to five years while removing the age cap of 64. Munir’s official retirement date is set for November 28, raising questions about whether this amendment seeks to secure his long–term command.

According to legal experts, the amendment could be a backdoor mechanism to constitutionally “anchor” Munir in power. Aqeel Malik, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Law, confirmed that Munir’s promotion was the first since the 1973 Constitution but stopped short of clarifying its constitutional status, saying it “must be addressed within the framework of the law.”

Is Pakistan Buying More Power for Asim Munir?

Analysts argue that the proposed amendment could further tip the civil-military balance in Pakistan, effectively institutionalizing military dominance under a constitutional umbrella. Many political observers call this a “power grab” that undermines the democratic order.

In the last few months, Asim Munir has emerged as Pakistan’s de facto leader, actively engaging in foreign policy, economic planning, and security matters. His three visits to the United States in recent months and his rare meeting with former President Donald Trump—without Pakistani government representatives—signified his growing international stature. Trump even referred to him as “a very important man in Pakistan.”

A viral photograph showing Munir presenting rare earth samples to Trump—with Prime Minister Sharif standing in the background—has come to symbolize the growing sidelining of Pakistan’s civilian government. Reports also suggest tensions between Munir and Afghan Taliban leaders, who accuse him of bypassing the Prime Minister in diplomatic engagements.

Domestically, Munir has maintained a firm grip on power by suppressing political dissent. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan remains imprisoned on multiple charges, while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party continues to face systematic political marginalization.

Analysts Sound the Alarm

Former Pakistani Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar stated that the 27th Amendment’s “core purpose” is to alter Article 243. “The amendment’s real target is the clause governing armed forces’ control and command. Everything else is noise,” he tweeted.

Former U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad also raised concerns, asking whether the proposed changes effectively eliminate civilian oversight of the military. “Does this mean the army chief becomes the commander-in-chief, ending civilian control over the armed forces?” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Pakistani geopolitical analyst Baqir Sajjad was even more blunt, describing the proposed constitutional tweak as a “shameless attempt at a power grab.” He warned that parliamentary approval would mark “a total betrayal of Pakistan’s democratic spirit” and questioned whether political parties would “once again sell out.”

India Watches Closely as Amendment Debate Grows

For the amendment to pass, it must secure a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Pakistan’s parliament. If approved, it could significantly recalibrate the balance of power among the military, judiciary, and legislature.

The development comes against the backdrop of anti-India rhetoric from Munir. He recently declared that “Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein” and warned of a “decisive response” to any provocation in the “nuclearized environment” of South Asia. Many believe his remarks may have indirectly inspired the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people.

As India monitors these internal shifts in Islamabad, the proposed amendment could be seen as an effort to centralize control within Pakistan’s powerful military establishment—potentially hardening its stance on regional security and diplomacy.

Whether the 27th Amendment becomes law or not, it underscores the long-standing struggle between Pakistan’s military and civilian institutions. For now, the question remains: Is this the dawn of Asim Munir’s constitutional reign?