Pakistani parliament votes to give army chief new powers and legal immunity

"The bill will be sent back to the senate, which already passed it on Monday, for minor tweaks before it is likely to be signed by the president, Asif Ali Zardari. Under the amendment, Munir who was nominated to become a five-star general stands to have unprecedented powers. He will be elevated to the newly created post of chief of defence forces, overseeing not just the army but also the navy and air force, while also being granted lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution."

"Aqil Shah, an adjunct associate professor at Georgetown University in the US 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 in the amendment, Shah said, makes a mockery of the principle of civilian supremacy by placing him above all reproach. It also substantially undermines the powers and remit of the supreme court, which is the only remaining check on executive power."

Parliament approved a 27th constitutional amendment that expands the army chief's powers, elevates Field Marshal Asim Munir to a new chief of defence forces role, and grants him lifelong criminal immunity. The amendment centralizes command across the army, navy and air force under the newly created post. A new federal constitutional court will sit above the supreme court, with judges selected by the executive and transfers controlled solely by the president. The lower house passed the bill after the senate, and it now awaits minor tweaks before presidential signing. Observers warn the changes entrench military dominance and weaken judicial accountability.

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