Pakistan’s National Assembly on Thursday (13 November 2025) amended the military law, paving the way for Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to be appointed as the country’s first Chief of Defense Force. This development came at a time when President Asif Ali Zardari approved the controversial 27th Constitutional Amendment, making it a part of the Constitution. A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said that the purpose of the changes in the Military Act is to bring the armed forces laws in line with the latest constitutional amendment.
Munir will command all three armies
Addressing the National Assembly after Defense Minister Khawaja Asif presented the Army Act Amendment Bill, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said that these changes are not new laws but amendments to existing laws. He said, “The change in the Military Act is that the current Army Chief will simultaneously be the Chief of Defense Force (CDF). The tenure of the CDF will be five years from the date of his appointment. “Some provisions have been omitted from the Navy and Air Force Acts, while others have been included.”
Munir also has control over nuclear weapons
Under this amendment, National Strategic Command (NSC) will be formed in Pakistan. This command will monitor and control Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and missile systems. Till now this power was with the National Command Authority (NCA) headed by Shehbaz Sharif, but now this power will go to the NSC. Even though the commander of NSC will be appointed with the approval of the PM, it will be on the recommendation of the CDF.
27th Constitution Amendment Bill passed
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the 27th Constitution Amendment Bill passed by both houses of the Parliament. With the assent of the President, the 27th Constitution Amendment Bill has now become part of the Constitution. Amidst strong opposition from opposition parties, the Senate passed the controversial 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill for the second time. Earlier, the National Assembly had passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment with two-thirds majority. A total of 234 members voted in favor and four against it, while the opposition boycotted the proceedings.
Munir’s tenure will be extended
After this amendment, the President will appoint the Army Chief and Defense Force Chief on the advice of the Prime Minister. One of its proposals was much discussed, according to which the post of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will be abolished on November 27, 2025. Under the amendment, the current Chief Justice of Pakistan will continue to hold office until the expiry of his tenure. After that, the post will be handed over to the most senior justice of the Supreme Court or the Federal Constitutional Court.
Resignation of two judges against the amendment bill
As soon as Pakistan’s most controversial amendment bill was passed, two judges of the Supreme Court there submitted their resignations in protest. Senior Justices Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah resigned after President Asif Ali Zardari signed the 27th Constitutional Amendment. According to The Express Tribune, in his 13-page resignation letter, Mansoor Ali Shah said that the 27th Constitutional Amendment is a serious attack on the Constitution of Pakistan. He said that the judiciary has become divided, due to which the country has gone back decades.
He said, “The 27th Constitutional Amendment has disintegrated the Supreme Court of Pakistan. It has brought the judiciary under the control of the government. This amendment is a serious blow to the spirit of constitutional democracy of Pakistan.”
Justice Athar Minallah wrote that before the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, he had written a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan raising concerns about the impact of the proposed changes on the country’s constitutional order.
He added, “I need not repeat the detailed contents of that letter, but suffice it to say that against the backdrop of selective silence and inaction, those fears have now come true.” He expressed regret that the Constitution which he had sworn to protect was no more. He warned that the new foundation laid under the amendment rests on its grave. (With inputs from IANS and PTI)
