Pakistan grants immunity to President and Army Chief
INTERNATIONAL – ASIA
14 NOVEMBER 2025
- Pakistan’s Parliament approved a sweeping constitutional amendment 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, also consolidates military power under a new Chief of Defence Forces role and establishes a Federal Constitutional Court.
- The changes grant Army Chief Asim Munir, promoted to field marshal after Pakistan’s clash with India in May 2025, command over the Army, Air Force and the Navy.
- He and other top military brass will enjoy lifelong protections.
- Under the amendment, any officer promoted to field marshal, marshal of the Air Force, or admiral of the fleet will now retain rank and privileges for life, remain in uniform, and enjoy immunity from criminal proceedings.
- Such protections were previously only reserved for the head of state.
- The amendment also shields President Asif Ali Zardari from any criminal prosecution, although that immunity will not apply if he or any other former President later holds another public office.
- Mr. Zardari has faced multiple graft cases, although proceedings were previously stayed.
- The amendment also bars courts from questioning any constitutional change “on any ground whatsoever”.
- The Bill also creates a Federal Constitutional Court with exclusive jurisdiction over constitutional cases, stripping the Supreme Court of its original powers and transferring pending petitions.
- Another clause empowers the President to transfer High Court judges on the recommendation of the Judicial Commission, a change critics say could be used to sideline dissenting judges.
