Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has cemented his position as the most powerful person in Pakistan after assuming the new post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) under the controversial 27th Constitutional Amendment. A report by The Christian Science Monitor suggests that these changes are pushing Pakistan closer to direct military rule, formalizing the dominance the military has long held from the shadows.
Unprecedented Constitutional Power for Munir
The 27th Amendment, passed in November 2025, represents a significant structural shift in Pakistan’s defense architecture and the balance of power:
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Centralized Military Command: The new CDF position places Munir in direct control of all three services—the Army, Navy, and Air Force—a level of authority unprecedented in the country’s history. It also abolishes the post of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).
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Control over Nuclear Arsenal: The amendment elevates the Army Chief to exclusive control of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons systems, a role previously overseen by the President and the Cabinet.
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Lifelong Immunity and Tenure: Munir, who has been elevated to the five-star rank of Field Marshal, is granted lifelong immunity from legal prosecution, similar to the President. His tenure as CDF has also been reset, extending his service until at least 2030.
History Repeating Itself
Historian Ayesha Jalal is quoted in the report, stating, “What we’re witnessing now… is a military, which has been strong, becoming even stronger.”
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Manipulating Democracy: The report notes that for 45 years when civilian governments were in power, the military has wielded influence from the shadows, manipulating politicians and making or breaking governments.
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Targeting PTI: Under Munir’s leadership, the army is accused of manipulating recent elections and unleashing a brutal crackdown on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who remains in jail.
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Indirect Coup: Analysts argue that the civilian leadership, reduced to secondary roles, has enabled the military to stage an “indirect coup” with the new constitutional protection, reducing government oversight over the armed forces and consolidating power in Rawalpindi.
