Taking a leaf out of history books, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir seems to be going the Pervez Musharraf way. Around 26 years ago in October 1999, Musharraf staged a military coup, seeking greater control and power, to establish his rule in Pakistan. He overthrew PM Nawaz Sharif’s government, declaring himself the Chief Executive.
Now, in a move that brings flashes of the Musharraf incident and which could reshape Pakistan’s military power structure, General Munir might be eyeing more power and scruitiny. Pakistan’s federal government has proposed a 27th Constitutional Amendment that would make Munir the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
CDF will be a new position that effectively merges the top military command under one authority.
Is Munir going Musharraf way?
While he might not be planning a coup like Musharraf, Munir does seems to have his eyes set on becoming even more powerful. Driven by General Asim Munir, the 27th amendment seeks to strengthen military control through judicial “discipline” and a powerful central command.
This move consolidates Munir’s power, potentially extending his influence until 2030.
According to Dawn, the amendment abolishes the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), a decades-old post designed to balance the three armed services, thereby giving Munir direct control over the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This unprecedented step signals a major centralisation of military authority in Pakistan, further strengthening Munir’s grip on national defence and security policymaking.
How did the move follow Munir’s elevation as Field Marshal?
The amendment comes just days after General Munir’s elevation to the ceremonial rank of Field Marshal, following the brief but intense India-Pakistan confrontation in May 2025 during Operation Sindoor. Despite suffering heavy losses, Pakistan rewarded Munir by elevating him to the post of Field Marshal.
The conflict ended only after Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) requested a ceasefire from his Indian counterpart, following Indian precision strikes that reportedly destroyed multiple Pakistani radar systems, airbases, and missile defences.
In the aftermath, Munir’s rapid elevation and now the proposed constitutional reform are being seen as an attempt by the Pakistani government to reaffirm his authority and reward his role in stabilising the military’s command structure during the crisis.
What does the 27th constitutional amendment propose?
According to a report in the Dawn, Pakistan’s federal cabinet has approved the draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which was tabled in the Senate on Saturday (November 8, 2025) and referred to the Standing Committees on Law and Justice for joint review. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar clarified that the CJCSC post will be abolished after General Sahir Shamshad Mirza’s tenure ends on November 27.
“It will be abolished after his appointment ends,” Tarar said, adding that no successor will be appointed, as the Chief of Army Staff will assume the newly created CDF role. He further explained that the Field Marshal title granted to Munir is honorary and lifelong, not a formal rank or appointment.
The bill stipulates that officers elevated to such titles — Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, or Admiral of the Fleet — will retain their privileges, rank insignia, and uniform for life. Crucially, only Parliament, not the Prime Minister, will have the authority to revoke or cancel such titles.
What are the political reactions to this move?
The proposed amendment has sparked a fierce political debate in Pakistan’s already divided political landscape. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) expressed conditional support, backing amendments related to the armed forces but warning against any rollback of provincial autonomy protected under the 18th Amendment.
Meanwhile, opposition parties such as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) have criticised the bill, calling it an “attack on Parliament” and a move that could tilt the civil-military balance further in favour of the armed forces.
What does this mean for Munir’s power and Pakistan’s military structure?
If passed, the 27th Amendment would make General Munir the most powerful military figure in Pakistan’s history since Field Marshal Ayub Khan, effectively placing all three branches of the armed forces under his direct command. With the CJCSC abolished and the CDF role established, Munir would not only continue as Chief of Army Staff but also assume strategic oversight of joint military operations, defence planning, and inter-service coordination.