Amid growing political and institutional tension in Islamabad, the Shehbaz Sharif-led government is reportedly preparing to introduce the 27th Constitutional Amendment, a move aimed at resolving ambiguity
over the tenure and legal standing of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Munir, who was granted the title of Field Marshal earlier this year, is officially due to retire on November 28, 2025. However, confusion persists regarding whether his tenure extends until 2027 or if a fresh legal extension is required.
In 2024, the tenure of Pakistan’s services chiefs was extended from three to five years through a legal reform under the previous government. Yet, the rank of Field Marshal — largely ceremonial and historically symbolic — remains undefined in Pakistan’s Constitution. The Constitution does not specify the term, retirement, or service conditions for a Field Marshal, leaving Munir’s future unclear. According to reports, the government now intends to provide a clear legal framework to safeguard Munir’s position and authority through constitutional backing.
Sources suggest that the Prime Minister’s Office and GHQ Rawalpindi have engaged in intense consultations to avoid a constitutional vacuum once Munir’s scheduled retirement date approaches. While the Pakistan Army Act and Article 243 of the Constitution define the command and control of the armed forces, they do not recognise or regulate the position of a Field Marshal. Consequently, the government’s proposed 27th Amendment seeks to amend Article 243 to formalise the status, powers, and service terms of a Field Marshal, ensuring continuity and legal protection for the incumbent army chief.
Interestingly, the amendment package goes beyond the issue of military tenure. According to PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the government also aims to introduce provisions relating to constitutional courts, the restoration of executive magistrates, and the transfer of judges. Moreover, the amendment proposes a controversial shift — transferring control over mines and minerals from provinces to the federal government. This move is seen as an effort to centralise Pakistan’s lucrative mineral sector, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, to facilitate foreign investment and streamline contracts with the United States and China.
Bilawal confirmed that the PML-N government has sought the PPP’s support for this sweeping constitutional package. However, opposition voices warn that the amendment could dilute provincial autonomy under the National Finance Commission (NFC) and give Islamabad unprecedented control over key national and economic levers — all under the pretext of protecting the position of Field Marshal Asim Munir.
