Archive · 10 Nov 2025
Pakistan's 27th Amendment Reshapes Military Command, Elevates Army Chief
Pakistan's parliament is quickly passing a new rule, called the 27th Amendment, that changes how its army is run.
This rule makes the Army Chief the main boss of all the military, including the Air Force and Navy, which are now considered junior to the Army.
The Army Chief will also get a special high rank, like a Field Marshal, and will be in charge of the country's nuclear weapons.
Currently, the top job that coordinates all the military branches is being removed.
The leaders of the Army, Air Force, and Navy will now be as important as the President, and more important than the Prime Minister.
This change is happening very fast, with parliamentary committees already approving it.
Supporters say this makes the military command stronger and clearer.
However, some people worry that this gives too much power to the Army Chief and makes other parts of the military less important.
They are also concerned about who gets to decide when to use nuclear weapons.
Pakistan's 27th Amendment formally designates the Army Chief as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), outranking Air Force and Navy chiefs.
The amendment institutionalizes the Army's primacy and reshapes the military's command and control structure, including placing the Army Chief in charge of nuclear weapons.
The position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee is to be abolished under the proposed changes.
Top military ranks like Field Marshal will have security of tenure, removable only through parliamentary impeachment, similar to the President.
The constitutional status of Army and service chiefs will be elevated to be equal to the President and above the Prime Minister.
- Who
- Pakistan's parliament (Senate and parliamentary law and justice committees), Army Chief Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
- What
- Introduction and advancement of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which reshapes Pakistan's military command structure, institutionalizes the Army Chief's primacy, makes him Chief of Defence Forces, and places him in charge of nuclear weapons.
- When
- The bill was introduced on Saturday and approved by parliamentary committees on Sunday. It is expected to pass within weeks.
- Where
- Pakistan
- Why
- To formally make the Army Chief the supreme commander, institutionalize the Army's primacy over other branches, enhance military command and control, and place Army leadership in charge of the country's nuclear weapons.
Concerns and Criticisms
Government and Proponents' View
Centralization of Power and Subordination of Other Branches
Concerns and Criticisms
Critics argue the amendment centralizes power under the Army Chief, making him the supreme commander and effectively subordinating the Air Force and Navy to the Army. The abolition of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the new Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) position are seen as consolidating power and potentially upsetting institutional balance. There are concerns that Army chiefs and service chiefs will be constitutionally equal to the president, above the prime minister.
Government and Proponents' View
The government introduced the 27th Amendment to formally make the Army Chief the supreme commander and reshape the military's command and control structure. The creation of the CDF position and the Army Chief outranking Air Force and Navy chiefs are presented as institutionalizing the Army's primacy and improving defense coordination. The proposal aims to enhance the command structure for national security.
Control Over Nuclear Weapons and Appointment of Strategic Command Commander
Concerns and Criticisms
The amendment proposes that the Prime Minister appoint the Commander of the National Strategic Command (NSC) on the recommendation of the Army Chief, from among Army members. This, coupled with the Army Chief being in charge of nuclear weapons, raises concerns about the civilian government's control over the nuclear arsenal and the potential for military influence over strategic decisions.
Government and Proponents' View
The amendment addresses the command structure for Pakistan's nuclear weapons through the National Strategic Command (NSC), with the Prime Minister appointing its commander upon the Army Chief's recommendation. This structure is presented as a method to ensure effective command and control over strategic assets.
Status and Removal of Top Military Ranks
Concerns and Criticisms
The amendment proposes that a Field Marshal, and their Air Force and Navy equivalents, can only be removed from office through parliamentary impeachment, similar to the President. Critics might view this as granting excessive security of tenure and potentially making these top military positions overly entrenched, difficult to remove even under adverse circumstances.
Government and Proponents' View
The provision for impeachment for removal of Field Marshals and their equivalents is presented as a safeguard, ensuring that these high-ranking officials cannot be arbitrarily removed from their posts, thus providing stability to the top military leadership.
- Amendment Name
- 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill
- Key Proposed Change
- Establishes Army Chief as Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), outranking Air Force and Navy chiefs, and granting the Army Chief lifetime Field Marshal rank.
- New Command Structure
- Abolishes the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Prime Minister to appoint Commander of National Strategic Command (NSC) on Army Chief's recommendation.
- Nuclear Weapons Command
- Army Chief to be in charge of Pakistan's nuclear weapons, likely through the National Strategic Command (NSC).
- Security of Tenure for Top Ranks
- Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet can only be removed through parliamentary impeachment, same as the President.
- Civil-Military Relationship
- Institutionalizes Army's primacy over Air Force and Navy. Army and service chiefs constitutionally equal to the President, above the Prime Minister.
- Timeline
- Bill introduced on Saturday, approved by parliamentary law and justice committees on Sunday. Expected to pass within weeks.
Sources
'Democracy Paralysed': Asim Munir Closer To Cementing Power As Pakistan Panel Clears 27th Amendment
Massive Protests Erupt Across Pakistan Against Shahbaz Govt's Proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment
Pakistan’s 27th amendment moves forward after parliamentary committees’ approval
Why Pakistan’s 27th Amendment giving sweeping powers to Asim Munir has led to protests
Asim Munir's Power Surge Splits Pakistan Military
