Pakistan army chief empowered in sweeping constitution change

Pakistan's parliament has passed an amendment to its constitution that will expand the powers of the army chief and grant him lifelong legal immunity while limiting the independence of the supreme court, in what experts say sets the country on the path to a "lifelong dictatorship".

- Hannah Ellis-Petersen Delhi Shah Meer Baloch Islamabad

Asim Munir, Pakistan's army chief, is widely seen as a de facto ruler of Pakistan. Under the amendment, he will be elevated to the newly created post of Chief of Defence Forces, overseeing the army, navy and air force, and granted lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution.

Aqil Shah, an adjunct associate professor at Georgetown university and author of The Army and Democracy: Military Politics in Pakistan, said Munir had “entrenched himself and future chiefs in power through an unprecedented constitutionally protected role”. The immunity granted “makes a mockery of the principle of civilian supremacy by placing him above all reproach”, Shah added.

It also substantially undermines the powers and remit of the supreme court, the only remaining check on executive power. Under the amendment, a federal constitutional court will be established above the supreme court where judges will be selected by the executive.