Claiming to have learned ‘many lessons’ from the recent tensions with India, Pakistan has taken a major step to further strengthen its army constitutionally. Pakistan’s Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar has introduced the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Senate, through which a new structure will be given to the top command of the army. Most importantly, the change could pave the way for Field Marshal Asim Munir to be made the ‘Commander of Defense Forces’ (CDF) – a post that will give supreme command over the three services.

Pakistan cited tension with India

Law Minister Tarar said that the recent tensions between India and Pakistan have proved that the strategy of modern war has changed. Therefore, it has become necessary to clearly record the structure and top command of the army in the Constitution. He told that many important military posts are in the Army Act, but not in the Constitution of 1973, hence they will be given formal status.

Increased stir in Pakistan after Operation Sindoor

On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor to target terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and PoK. In this, more than 100 terrorists were killed and many hideouts of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba were destroyed. In response, Pakistan also took military action, but on May 10, both the countries announced ceasefire. Ten days after the ceasefire, Pakistan made Army Chief Asim Munir a field marshal – for only the second time in history, Ayub Khan had given himself the post in 1959.

How much power will increase if Asim Munir becomes CDF?

• The changes proposed in the 27th Amendment can turn Field Marshal Munir into the most powerful military officer of Pakistan.
• Field Marshal will get a constitutional rank, that is, it will not be just an honorary title. This will provide legal protection to Munir’s post and tenure.
• A new post called ‘Commander of Defense Forces’ (CDF) will be created – who will exercise supreme command over the Army, Navy and Air Force. There is a suspicion that only Munir will sit on this post.
• The role of the President and Prime Minister on military matters may be limited as real power will rest with the CDF.
• The new amendment creates the possibility of giving long or indefinite tenure to the CDF or Field Marshal.
• Bringing many ministries under the center means that indirectly the policy-control capacity of the army will increase.
• The powers of the provinces will decrease, due to which the control of the center and the army will become stronger.

That means, if the amendment is passed, Asim Munir will be able to have complete control over the three armies of Pakistan.

Was this change needed?

According to Pakistani newspaper Dawn, many legal experts of the country are raising questions on this amendment. He says that the structure of the army can be improved even through ordinary legislation, there is no need to change the Constitution for this. Experts are warning that this step could be a way to increase the power of the army in the name of ‘reform’. Apart from this, in the 26th Amendment, the tenure of the Army Chief was increased from 3 to 5 years, but it is still unclear on what basis the tenure of the current Field Marshal, who was appointed in the old system, will be extended. It is also being said that instead of solving this problem, the 27th Amendment is becoming a means of further strengthening the hold of the army.

Is the army once again taking over power in Pakistan?

These proposals have once again intensified the debate in Pakistan whether the army is trying to re-establish complete control over the country’s politics and constitutional structure. Political parties and experts believe that if the post of CDF is created and Asim Munir gets its responsibility, then the power of the army in Pakistan will increase more than before.

Both India and Pakistan had similar political heritage. Both countries adopted Britain’s parliamentary democratic system, but the rules and procedure for becoming Prime Minister are quite different in both countries. In India, the Prime Minister is selected on the basis of votes cast by the public. Apart from this, some qualifications have also been prescribed to become the Prime Minister of India. Whereas in Pakistan the process of choosing the Prime Minister is based on both religious and constitutional aspects. In such a situation, let us tell you today how much education is necessary to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

How is PM elected in Pakistan?

Like India, general elections are also held in Pakistan. There are a total of 342 seats in Pakistan, out of which the public elects its representatives by directly voting on 272 seats. People from specific classes and communities are appointed to the remaining 70 seats. The elected members become part of the National Assembly and this assembly selects the Prime Minister. In fact, when the National Assembly of Pakistan has to elect its leader, all the members are present in the assembly on the orders of the Speaker. After this, the doors of the assembly are closed, so that no one can go in or out. After this, the Speaker announces the names of the candidates for the post of Prime Minister and the members choose their leader by voting, the one in whose favor the most votes are cast becomes the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

What qualifications are required to become the PM of Pakistan?

According to the Constitution of Pakistan, only a person who is a citizen of Pakistan can become the Prime Minister of Pakistan. To become the Prime Minister of Pakistan, a person must be a Muslim and must have completed at least 25 years of age. Also, to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan, a person must have knowledge of the teachings of Islam. He follows the duties prescribed by Islam. Apart from this, he should not be involved in any serious crime, he should have good character and he should not be infamous for violating Islamic beliefs. Nowhere in these qualifications is it mentioned that any special education is required for the post of Prime Minister. This means that any special degree or educational qualification is not mandatory to become the Prime Minister in Pakistan.

Oath is taken on religious basis

In India, the oath taken by the Prime Minister or the Minister of the Constitution is not related to religion. However, in Pakistan the Prime Minister considers religion as a witness while taking oath. Quran-e-Pak, Allah and Hazrat Mohammad are mentioned in his oath. In Pakistan, during the oath taking ceremony, the Prime Minister also says after his name that he is a Muslim and only then the further oath is taken.

Also read: How much education is necessary to become the Prime Minister of India? This reality will surprise you

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Amidst the increasing power of Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Pakistan, Shahbaz Sharif government is going to make major changes in the constitution. The government has confirmed that it will soon introduce the 27th Constitutional Amendment in Parliament, which will bring important changes related to the command of the army and civil-military relations.

Opposition’s concern: Will the army’s interference become stronger?
In Pakistan, the army already has influence on civilian governments. Therefore, critics fear that this amendment will further increase the powers of Army Chief Asim Munir and may weaken civilian control in the country.

Discussion started with a tweet by Bilawal Bhutto
The speculation started when PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted that the government had sought his support on the 27th Amendment. After the tweet, this issue rapidly came into political debate.

Government confirmed – “Amendment will be introduced soon”
Speaking in the Senate, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar clearly said that the government is bringing the 27th amendment and it will be introduced only as per the Constitution and rules. He also assured that the amendment will not be voted on in any hurry or without due process.

What is proposed in the 27th Amendment?

Many major changes have been mentioned in Pakistani media reports.

Appointment of Army Chief and change in command: According to reports, the government may propose changes in Article 243 of the Constitution, which deals with the appointment and command of the Army Chief.

Suggestion to create new “Commander-in-Chief” post: Former MP Mustafa Nawaz Kholkhar has claimed that the amendment involves creating a new constitutional post of “Commander-in-Chief”, which can bring about a major change in the military-civil structure of Pakistan.

Proposal to create constitutional courts: The amendment is also said to include a plan to establish special constitutional courts, so that such cases can be resolved quickly.

Reforms in the appointment process of Chief Election Commissioner: The government wants to make the process more simple and clear to reduce delays and disputes in the appointment of the head of the Election Commission.

Preparation to reinstate Executive Magistrate: The amendment suggests bringing back the role of the Executive Magistrate, so that administrative matters can be expedited.

Changes in the process of transfer of judges: It is also being said that the process related to transfer of judges will be changed under the new system.

Attempt to give more powers to the Centre: According to reports, control of the Ministry of Education and Population Welfare may be taken back from the provinces and given to the Centre, which may reduce the powers of the provinces.

Proposal to remove security of financial share of provinces: It is also being said that consideration is going on to remove the constitutional protection of the share given to the provinces under the National Finance Commission (NFC).

Talk of threat to provincial autonomy
Senior PPP leader Raza Rabbani has called this proposal a big threat to the autonomy of the provinces. He said that this amendment will weaken the rights obtained from the 18th Amendment.

status of support in parliament
The government has a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, as 233 out of 336 members are supporting it, but the situation is difficult in the Senate, as the government has only 61 members out of 96, so it will need the votes of at least three opposition members. There is a possibility that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazal) may support this amendment.

PTI’s open opposition to the amendment
PTI leader Hamid Khan has said that his party considers this amendment dangerous for the Constitution and they will try to stop it completely.

Asim Munir’s influence increased after becoming Field Marshal
Since Asim Munir was made Field Marshal after India’s Operation “Sindoor”, his international activism has increased. He has been representing Pakistan on several foreign tours, and his role in trade talks with the US has also been praised by US President Donald Trump.