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New Delhi: Major changes are currently underway in Pakistan, constitutional overhauls leading to changes in, among things, the country’s armed forces. This majorly pertains to the 27th Amendment in the Pakistani constitution, which for months has been speculated to be changed.
Finally this week when President Asif Ali Zardari and his son Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari received a visit from a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) team headed by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, it became apparent that major announcements would soon be made.
In a post on X, Bhutto-Zardari said they shared a draft of proposed changes that relate to management and disciplining of the judiciary, distribution of resources between the federal and provincial governments, and alterations to Article 243 of the 1973 Constitution. The last one of which pertains to control of the armed forces.
The major changes that have been brought about can be traced to the recent India-Pakistan clash. Pakistan has since then looked to strengthen the constitutional foundation of its military command. A major part of this would see more direct power given to the Army and this is being done through Constitutional amendment.
Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Saturday tabled the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Senate in aid to this. Whereby, he proposed revisions to Article 243 to formally enshrine the appointments and parallel ranks of the Army, Air Force, and Naval chiefs.
“Recent Pakistan-India tensions have taught us many lessons. The nature and strategy of war have undergone significant changes. Appointment procedures and some positions were previously in the Army Act but were not mentioned in the 1973 Constitution. Parallel ranks exist worldwide for Air Chief and Naval Chief,” Tarar said.
Article 243 of Pakistan's 1973 Constitution establishes civilian control over the military. It grants control and command of the Armed Forces in the Federal Government. It also ensures that the President appoints the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the three Service Chiefs. This is enabled only on the Prime Minister's advice. Most importantly, it is there to put some democratic oversight on the country’s military.
The new amendment though comes up with new stipulations that would bring about many new powers to the Pakistani Army and especially its chief. It provides a formal recognition of the Field Marshal post. The post will be given constitutional status, transforming it from an honorary title into a legally recognised position.
Importantly, the bill also proposes establishing a new position, the Commander of Defence Forces. This position would have authority over the army, navy, and air force. It is highly probable that Gen. Asim Munir would assume this position. Operational control over the armed forces would thus shift from the president and prime minister to the CDF or Field Marshal and help him to consolidate command across the armed services.
The revised language in the amendment would also allow for extended or potentially indefinite terms for the Field Marshal. Gen. Munir could thus have an extended period of time in a powerful position, directing both military and national affairs.
