US EditionPakistan parliament approves more powers for army chief, curbs top court
- On Wednesday, Pakistan's parliament approved a constitutional amendment to expand army chief Asim Munir's powers, pending the president's signature.
- In recent years, the Supreme Court of Pakistan blocked government policies and ousted prime ministers, while longstanding military influence in Pakistan gains stronger constitutional backing.
- Fast-Tracking showed in the vote totals, as the lower house approved the bill with a more-than-two-thirds majority and only four lawmakers voting against; it awaits the president's signature.
- The amendment creates a new Federal Constitutional Court to hear constitutional cases transferred from the Supreme Court of Pakistan, while army chief Asim Munir is elevated to Chief of Defence Forces with lifetime immunity.
- Opposition voices including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf said they were not consulted, and critics say the changes concentrate power and harm democratic checks by giving the military firmer constitutional backing.
63 Articles
63 Articles
The Pakistani parliament has passed a constitutional amendment which grants the military chiefs life-long privileges and protection, while limiting the powers of the Supreme Court.
Pakistan expands power of army chief
Pakistan expanded the power of its army chief at a critical moment for the country’s national security. Syed Asim Munir will now command all three branches of the military and has lifelong legal immunity. The move to constitutionalize his authority “collides with… the fragile equilibrium between civilian and military power,” Pakistani outlet Dawn wrote. Critics said it reflected a slide toward authoritarianism, but Islamabad argued it was necess…
Without much debate, Pakistan has fundamentally changed its constitution. Army chief Munir gets even more power – and life-long impunity.
Channel News Asia
Pakistan grants lifetime immunity to president, current army chief
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's parliament approved a sweeping constitutional amendment on Thursday (Nov 13) granting lifetime immunity to the president as well as the current army chief, a move critics warned would erode democratic checks and judicial independence.The 27th amendment, passed by a two-thirds majority, a
The Columbian
Pakistan army chief gets more powers, immunity for life
Pakistan has granted lifelong immunity to Field Marshal Asim Munir, in a move that would further entrench the military’s grip on power in the nuclear-armed nation. Read more...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources lean Left, 37% of the sources are Center
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