The Pakistani government has passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill to overhaul the country’s defence structure in order to establish better coordination amongst the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Through the proposed position of the Chief of Defence Forces, all three services are to be brought under one unified command.
The amendment amends Article 243 of the Constitution, dealing with the structure of the armed forces. Both the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Forces are to be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Army Chief to Also Lead National Strategic Command Under Pakistan Constitutional Amendment Bill
Under the changes, the head of the National Strategic Command will be appointed by the Army Chief – who becomes Chief of Defence Forces – in consultation with the prime minister, but the post would remain with the Pakistan Army for tighter control over the strategic assets.
Field Marshal Rank to Be Held for Life Under Pakistan Constitutional Amendment Bill
The bill also empowers the government to confer the rank of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet on top officers. These titles will be a lifetime honor, enabling the recipient to retain privileges for life.
It also confirms the abolition of the post of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee with effect from November 27, 2025.
Pakistan Constitutional Amendment Bill Linked to Lessons from India-Pakistan Conflict
The new military post, according to local reports, was inspired by recent tensions across the border and the lessons of the four-day India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025. The confrontation followed India’s Operation Sindoor, launched after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
According to Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, “at least a dozen Pakistani military aircraft, including US-origin F-16 jets, were destroyed or damaged.” The hostilities were called off by Pakistan after its military infrastructure faced attack. After the clashes, Army Chief General Asim Munir was promoted to Field Marshal, the second officer in Pakistan’s history to obtain this title.
Other Pakistan Constitutional Amendment Proposed
The amendment also proposes to establish a Federal Constitutional Court, revise the appointment of high court judges, and reconstitute the provincial cabinets. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said, “Let me clarify that there are three main areas and two ancillary. It will address five subject areas.” The 49-clause bill was referred to the Standing Committees on Law and Justice for review by Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani.
Pakistani Opposition Questions About Constitutional Amendment Bill
The leader of the opposition Ali Zafar of PTI asserted that the bill was being pushed hurriedly by the government. He said, “We cannot debate something we have not read,” and suggested that the Senate debate the bill as a whole, rather than sending it to committee.
The Bill was approved by the Cabinet before its presentation to the Senate. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a cabinet meeting via video link from Azerbaijan and the amendment draft was approved.
As per PTV News, “The federal cabinet approved the draft for the 27th Constitutional Amendment and welcomed it to the fullest extent. Conclusion The move to have a Chief of Defence Forces is seen as one of the biggest structural changes in Pakistan’s military system in decades. Although the government argues that this will strengthen national security, ensuring better coordination, critics fear it could centralize excessive power within the armed forces.
Also Read: What Is Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment? Impact on Army Chief Asim Munir & Power Structure
