Pakistan’s proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment (PCA) has triggered serious concern among political analysts and legal experts, who warn that it could drastically alter the country’s civil-military balance by consolidating unprecedented power in the hands of the Army Chief.
According to a report in Jurist News, the amendment — being fast-tracked through parliament — seeks to overhaul Pakistan’s judicial and defence structures. It proposes the creation of a Federal Constitutional Court, reforms in the Supreme Court, and a major restructuring of the armed forces’ command system.
The most controversial provision allows the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to simultaneously hold the title of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) — effectively granting him unified control over the Army, Navy, Air Force, and intelligence agencies. The amendment also paves the way for promotion to the rank of Field Marshal, a title that carries lifelong privileges and constitutional immunity.
Legal scholar L. Ali Khan, writing for Jurist News, noted that the PCA’s amendments to Article 243 and Article 248 grant the Field Marshal full protection from legal prosecution — even after retirement. This immunity, which traditionally applies only to a sitting President, would now extend to a military leader for life, creating what he described as a “constitutional shield against accountability.”
The PCA also removes the post of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, transferring its authority directly to the Army Chief. Experts warn that this move could centralize military command to an extent not seen even under Pakistan’s previous military regimes.
Critics say the amendment undermines constitutional democracy and the rule of law, as it effectively places the Army Chief above civilian oversight. If passed, analysts argue, the PCA could institutionalize a system where military power operates beyond judicial or parliamentary control.
