New Delhi: In a significant move, the Pakistani Senate has passed the 27th constitutional amendment, establishing a new military post — the Chief of Defence Forces (CDef)— and creating a separate Constitutional Court to handle matters related to the constitution.
The bill was approved with a two-thirds majority amid strong opposition protests and walkouts, intensifying debate over the balance of power in the country.
The amendment, presented by Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar and presided over by Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani, passed with 64 votes in favour, including support from two opposition senators.
This legislation dissolves the existing Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee by November 27, 2025, consolidating greater authority in the hands of the Army Chief, currently General Asim Munir.
Under the new law, the Chief of Army Staff will automatically serve as the Chief of Defence Forces, centralising command. The CDef will advise the Prime Minister on appointing the head of the National Strategic Command, a role that will always be filled by an Army officer. Additionally, the amendment grants the government the authority to confer lifelong honorary military ranks such as Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet.
A key feature of the bill is the establishment of a federal Constitutional Court dedicated to constitutional matters, while the Supreme Court will focus solely on civil and criminal cases. This bifurcation aims to streamline judicial processes concerning the constitution.
Despite government assertions that the amendment will strengthen national security and constitutional governance, opposition parties, particularly Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), vehemently opposed the bill. PTI legislators staged protests, tore copies of the bill in the Senate, and exited the chamber in protest, accusing the government of bolstering military influence at the expense of civilian rule.
The amendment now moves to the National Assembly, where the government, with 233 supportive members out of 336, is poised to pass the bill comfortably. The government maintains that the changes will reinforce the security framework and constitutional integrity of Pakistan, while critics warn of increased military dominance and weakened democratic governance.