Thu Nov 13 17:35:26 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan Parliament Grants Lifetime Immunity to Military Chief, President, Raising Authoritarianism Fears
Islamabad – November 13, 2025 – Pakistan’s Parliament has approved a controversial constitutional amendment granting lifetime immunity to the President and the current Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, sparking widespread criticism that the move will erode democratic checks and balances and further concentrate power within the military.
The 27th amendment, passed with a two-thirds majority on Thursday, also establishes a new Chief of Defence Forces role consolidating military power and creates a Federal Constitutional Court, raising concerns about judicial independence.
Under the amendment, any officer promoted to the ranks of field marshal, marshal of the Air Force, or admiral of the fleet will retain their rank, privileges, remain in uniform, and enjoy immunity from criminal proceedings for life. These protections were previously reserved only for the head of state.
“This constitutional amendment will increase authoritarianism and whatever little semblance of democracy existed in this country will fade away,” warned Islamabad-based lawyer Osama Malik. He added that the amendment undermines civilian oversight of the military and disrupts the military hierarchy.
The bill also shields President Asif Ali Zardari from any criminal prosecution, although this immunity will not apply if he later holds another public office. Zardari has faced multiple graft cases in the past.
Opposition parties, led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), vehemently protested the amendment, tearing up copies of the bill in both chambers of parliament. The amendment also bars courts from questioning any constitutional change.
Furthermore, the newly created Federal Constitutional Court will have exclusive jurisdiction over constitutional cases, effectively stripping the Supreme Court of its original powers. The President can also transfer High Court judges on the recommendation of the Judicial Commission, raising concerns of political influence over the judiciary.
“This is the final nail in the coffin of an independent judiciary and a functioning democracy,” said PTI spokesman Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari.
The bill was initially passed by the Senate on Monday and then tweaked and passed by the National Assembly before returning to the Senate for final approval.
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