Pakistan's parliament has approved a contentious constitutional amendment that will grant army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir unprecedented powers and lifelong immunity from prosecution. The move is seen as a significant blow to democracy in Pakistan, with critics labeling it a "funeral for democracy".
Under the amendment, Munir will be elevated to the newly created post of Chief of Defence Forces, overseeing all three branches of the military, while also holding absolute immunity from criminal prosecution. This will effectively render him above reproach and shield him from accountability.
The move is also expected to substantially undermine the independence of the Supreme Court, with a new federal constitutional court being established above it. The judges on this new court will be selected by the executive, removing any checks on their appointments or removals. Furthermore, the decision on how and where to transfer judges will rest solely with the president, eroding any semblance of an independent judiciary.
The amendment has been welcomed by figures within the ruling coalition government as a means to modernize and streamline the military and judicial systems. However, critics argue that it serves only to enshrine military rule and push Pakistan further down the path towards authoritarianism.
Pakistan has a history of military rule, with full dictatorships prevalent since its establishment in 1947. Even after the country transitioned to democracy in 2008, the powerful military continues to exert significant influence behind the scenes.
Munir's ascent to the army chief role has been marked by unprecedented international meetings, including two high-profile encounters with US President Donald Trump. His role as de facto ruler of Pakistan has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the consolidation of power in the hands of senior generals.
The amendment sailed through parliament with only four lawmakers opposing it, indicating a lack of strong opposition from within the government itself. However, several prominent parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), boycotted the vote due to their concerns over the move's implications for democracy and human rights.
Critics say that the amendment represents a significant threat to the rule of law in Pakistan, with lawyers and civil society activists denouncing it as "tampering with the constitution". Over 100 signatories have expressed concerns about the move, highlighting its potential impact on the country's democratic foundations.
Under the amendment, Munir will be elevated to the newly created post of Chief of Defence Forces, overseeing all three branches of the military, while also holding absolute immunity from criminal prosecution. This will effectively render him above reproach and shield him from accountability.
The move is also expected to substantially undermine the independence of the Supreme Court, with a new federal constitutional court being established above it. The judges on this new court will be selected by the executive, removing any checks on their appointments or removals. Furthermore, the decision on how and where to transfer judges will rest solely with the president, eroding any semblance of an independent judiciary.
The amendment has been welcomed by figures within the ruling coalition government as a means to modernize and streamline the military and judicial systems. However, critics argue that it serves only to enshrine military rule and push Pakistan further down the path towards authoritarianism.
Pakistan has a history of military rule, with full dictatorships prevalent since its establishment in 1947. Even after the country transitioned to democracy in 2008, the powerful military continues to exert significant influence behind the scenes.
Munir's ascent to the army chief role has been marked by unprecedented international meetings, including two high-profile encounters with US President Donald Trump. His role as de facto ruler of Pakistan has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the consolidation of power in the hands of senior generals.
The amendment sailed through parliament with only four lawmakers opposing it, indicating a lack of strong opposition from within the government itself. However, several prominent parties, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), boycotted the vote due to their concerns over the move's implications for democracy and human rights.
Critics say that the amendment represents a significant threat to the rule of law in Pakistan, with lawyers and civil society activists denouncing it as "tampering with the constitution". Over 100 signatories have expressed concerns about the move, highlighting its potential impact on the country's democratic foundations.
I'm really worried about this new development in Pakistan... I mean, granting Field Marshal Asim Munir such extraordinary powers and immunity from prosecution is a huge red flag for democracy 
. It's like they're trying to set up a system where the military has complete control over everything, with no checks or balances whatsoever 
. The fact that this amendment sailed through parliament without significant opposition is even more concerning... it shows that the government and some lawmakers are willing to sacrifice democratic norms for stability 
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. But at what cost? Is Pakistan really willing to trade off its democratic values for the sake of stability and security? I'm not sure... but one thing's for sure - this amendment has major implications for the country's future 
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this is just peachy. another chance for pakistan to prove itself as a 'democracy' where the army gets all the power and the constitution goes out the window 
. i mean who needs checks and balances when you've got a few brave souls in parliament willing to do the military's bidding? 4 lawmakers against this constitutional amendment is basically a victory lap for pakistan's ruling elite 
. and don't even get me started on the 'modernization' part - sounds like just a fancy word for 'we're gonna make sure you can't touch us anymore'. lifelong immunity from prosecution, how lovely 
Field Marshal Asim Munir is literally above the law now...no checks and balances anywhere 
it's gonna be super hard to hold him accountable for any wrongdoings. And with the new federal constitutional court being created above the Supreme Court? 
. I mean, what's next? A council of unelected generals making all the decisions? 
this is not good for democracy at all...Pakistan has already struggled with military rule and authoritarianism in the past, so it's like, we can't go backwards now 
i hope people in pakistan can keep fighting for their rights and freedoms, it's not too late 
it sounds like he's above the law rn 
& with the new federal constitutional court being created, its just gonna be another excuse for the gov to suppress dissent & silence critics. 
i mean pakistan has a history of military rule & this move just feels like more of the same 
. Now this is happening again, and it feels like we're watching a repeat of history unfold.
. And the fact that they're undermining the independence of the Supreme Court is just ridiculous. It's like they want to erase all the progress Pakistan made in becoming a democratic country.
. And those signatories who spoke out against it? I salute them, they're brave for speaking truth to power 
Munir's got more powers than a king or something, and that new constitutional court thingy just gives him even more wiggle room to do whatever he wants...like what about accountability? ain't nobody above the law, right? 
no checks and balances at all just the military making decisions for everyone else it's like a bad movie script come to life 
and omg it's so relatable to what's happening in pakistan right now lol like how that cat is all focused on shredding those notes but its paws are literally going to fail it if it's not careful similar with this new amendment, sounds super slick at first but who knows the strings behind it 
and it's still super prevalent today. they've had multiple coups and dictatorships throughout that time. even after they transitioned to democracy in 2008, the army is still all over the place behind the scenes.
it basically gives the army chief, asim munir, total control over everything and immunity from prosecution. like, who needs checks on power when you've got that much authority? 
the fact that the president gets to decide on judges' transfers is a huge red flag... i don't trust this at all. 
. The thought of having an army chief with absolute power is just terrifying 
. I remember when my aunt was involved in a small protest against the previous government and how it was crushed 
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. We're supposed to be moving forward, but I guess that's not an option for them 
. It's like we're watching our democracy slowly being eroded away 
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. Will we ever see a return to democratic values? Or will we just become another authoritarian state 
? I don't know, but one thing's for sure - this news has left me feeling really anxious 