The 27th Amendment to Pakistan’s Constitution was recently passed in the National Assembly. This change is being discussed not only in Pakistan but around the world.
It is being seen as the most significant shift in Pakistan’s defense sector since 1976. The Pakistani government has described the amendments which modify laws related to the Army, Air Force, and Navy as a modernisation effort. However, opposition parties and critics warn that the changes could lead to a centralisation of power. Some argue that the amendment establishes a form of dictatorship under the guise of reform. They also claim it will significantly increase the power of the current Pakistan Army Chief Asim Muni
Leading Pak newspaper makes explosive claims
According to Dawn, at the heart of this restructuring is the position of the Army Chief Munir, who will also serve as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). This dual power gives the post new powers regarding multi-domain integration, reorganisation, and the joint functioning of the armed forces. The legislative amendments will also give the CDF a role in carrying out structural reforms, ranging from joint force integration to other organisational change without requiring explicit parliamentary approval.
A major change since 1971
The bill, tabled on November 8, sought to abolish the office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), and create a new post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), positioning the Army Chief as the head of Pakistan’s armed forces. It was passed in the parliament and turned into law. The new law abolishes the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. This tri-services position was created after the 1971 war to enhance coordination of the armed forces.
The new command structure has been introduced by the government and the military as a functional necessity. This reorganisation has centralised the logic of jointness in the office of the Chief of Army Staff. The new system makes every top armed forces appointment dependent on the recommendation of the CDF-cum-COAS.
The law allows newly created positions in the Office of Nuclear Forces, the CNSC, to have their tenure extended upon the recommendation of the CDF. This process will be immune from judicial review. Adil Sultan, Dean of the Aerospace and Strategic Department at Air University, said, “The new appointments of the CDF and Commander National Strategic Command are becoming part of the National Command Authority (NCA). Both will be from the Army, and the CDF will be senior to the other two service chiefs.”
Pakistan Army Act
A significant change to Section 176C of the Pakistan Army Act gives the CDF-cum-COAS decisive control over the delegation of his powers. This amendment allows the federal government to authorise Vice-Army Chiefs to exercise the functions of the COAS (Chief of Army Staff). Previously, such appointments were the prerogative of the executive.
Furthermore, the amendment to Section 176A of the Pakistan Army Act preserves the constitutional primacy of the person holding the rank of Field Marshal. Section 176A empowers the federal government to make rules for the governance, command, discipline, recruitment, conditions of service, rank, seniority, and administration of the Pakistan Army, as well as for any other purpose of the Act beyond the scope of the rules under Section 176.
By conferring greater control on a single post, its tenure could extend beyond 2035. This risks making the decision-making process overly dependent on the personality, preferences, and politics of the individual holding the post, rather than streamlining it. It will also further diminish the role of the Navy and Air Force in decision-making.