Opposition: "Final nail in the coffin of a functioning democracy" Pakistan grants lifetime immunity to President Asif Zardari, Army Chief Asim Munir

Pakistan's Parliament approved a sweeping constitutional amendment on Thursday (November 13, 2025) granting lifetime immunity to the President as well as the current Army Chief, a move critics warned would erode democratic checks and judicial independence.

- BY S VENKAT NARAYAN OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

The 27th amendment, passed by a two-thirds majority, also consolidates military power under a new Chief of Defence Forces role and establishes a Federal Constitutional Court.

Denouncing the amendment, opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesman Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari said: "This is the final nail in the coffin of an independent judiciary and a functioning democracy."

The changes grant Army Chief Asim Munir, promoted to field marshal after Pakistan's clash with India in May, command over the Army, Air Force and the Navy. He and other top military brass will enjoy lifelong protections.

Observers say that Army Chief Asim Munir will now wield powers under a so-called civilian government that earlier military dictators wielded declaring martial law.

(Since departing British colonialists carved Pakistan as a Muslim-majority country out of Hindu-majority but secular India 78 years ago in August 1947, the Islamic nation was ruled by four military dictators for a total of 33 years:

1. General Ayub Khan (1958-1969).10 years. Coup in October 1958, resigned in March 1969.