The real story behind Munir’s constitutional fortress 

November 15, 2025

Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir has moved to cement his authority through the 27th Amendment, a sweeping legal and structural overhaul that significantly expands his powers and shields him from internal challenges. Once enforced, the amendment elevates Munir to the position of Pakistan’s supreme military commander with direct authority over the army, air force and navy. It places him above the chiefs of the other two services and gives him the final say in their appointments. It also allows him to exert greater influence over Pakistan’s nuclear command structure by installing loyal officers in key positions.

What has drawn the most attention is the breadth of legal protection granted to Munir. The amendment states that the army chief, as well as five-star officers of the air force and navy, will retain their rank, privileges and uniforms for life. They can only be removed through impeachment, and they will enjoy immunities comparable to those of Pakistan’s president. In effect, Munir will be insulated from legal action for the rest of his life, a safeguard rarely extended to any military leader in Pakistan’s history.

The introduction of the 27th Amendment reflects the political and institutional pressures that Munir has faced. Despite holding the most powerful position in the country, he has confronted vulnerabilities that prompted him to secure permanent legal and organisational protections.

The first source of pressure stems from the declining public standing of the Pakistani military. Former prime minister Imran Khan launched an unprecedented campaign against the army leadership, accusing it of engineering his removal from office. His supporters attacked army headquarters and the residences of senior commanders in protests last year. The public perception that the military played a direct role in Khan’s ouster and imprisonment severely damaged the institution’s credibility. For an army long accustomed to public deference, the backlash was a shock.

The second concern for Munir was the longstanding factionalism within the Pakistan Army. Rival groups have historically competed for influence over promotions, postings and decision-making. Munir may hold formal authority, but in an institution marked by internal alignments and shifting loyalties, absolute command cannot be taken for granted. At a time when the military’s popularity had fallen sharply, internal discord posed a real threat. Any serious rift could have weakened Munir’s position or offered an opening to opponents within the ranks.

A third factor was the need to institutionalise his authority. Munir wielded substantial power as army chief, but he lacked direct control over the air force, the navy and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Previous events highlighted how these limitations could affect military decision-making. After India’s Balakot airstrike in 2019, reports in Pakistani media and official accounts suggested that the air force chief, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, and the then-CJCSC General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, had pushed back against the course of action initially preferred by army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. The then prime minister, Imran Khan, intervened to settle the dispute. For Munir, such a scenario underscored the risk of being overruled by other service chiefs or by a CJCSC with competing authority.

Through the 27th Amendment, Munir has eliminated that possibility. By effectively sidelining the CJCSC role and placing all three services under his direct command, he has ensured that no rival within the military can countermand him. Centralising these powers also reduces the chances of factional actors challenging his decisions at times of crisis.

Another crucial backdrop to the amendment is Pakistan’s strained strategic environment. Operation Sindoor, which Pakistani leaders publicly portrayed as a success, exposed gaps in the country’s defence preparedness. Within military circles, the costs and vulnerabilities became clear. Munir, already managing public unrest and internal divisions, could not risk appearing weak after such an episode. The amendment therefore serves as a protective mechanism, surrounding him with institutional barriers that make it far more difficult to dislodge him or undermine his authority.

With the 27th Amendment, Munir has secured unparalleled control over Pakistan’s military establishment. The move reflects both the fragile state of the country’s security institutions and the army chief’s determination to shield himself from political, legal and internal military threats.