How would Pakistan's 27th Amendment reshape its military and courts?

"New amendment would centralise power in the executive and military, prompting warnings of a weakened judiciary. Islamabad, Pakistan Pakistan's Senate on Monday approved a constitutional amendment that aims to bring sweeping changes to the country's judicial system and to the military's command structure amid criticism that it seeks to weaken oversight over the government and leaders of the nation's powerful army."

"The proposed 27th Amendment eventually sailed through the Senate in a raucous evening sitting after the opposition boycotted the session. Like in the Senate, the amendment now needs to secure a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, which is expected to vote on the draft on Tuesday afternoon. If it gets those votes, the amendment would need President Asif Ali Zardari's signature to become law."

"But both the contents of the proposed amendment and the manner in which the Pakistani government has sought to push it through have sparked criticism, including from senior sitting judges, even as other experts said the changes are justified. The 27th Amendment of the constitution, if it becomes law, would in effect grant immunity from criminal prosecution to the top-most military leaders while also reshaping the military's command structure. These would be through changes to Article 243 of Pakistan's Constitution."

Pakistan's Senate approved the proposed 27th Amendment after an opposition boycott, moving it toward a required two-thirds vote in the National Assembly and the president's signature. The amendment would grant immunity from criminal prosecution to top military leaders, reshape the military's command structure via changes to Article 243, and establish a Federal Constitutional Court along with other legal reforms. Senior sitting judges and critics warned the measure centralizes power in the executive and military and weakens judicial oversight, while some experts defended its changes. The cabinet approved the amendment the same day the law minister presented it in the Senate.

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