In a significant constitutional shift, <a title="Pakistan Nuclear" href="https://www.benefitnews24.com/international/trump-alleges-pakistan-s-secret-nuke-tests/21869" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan&rsquo;s</a> government on Saturday tabled the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill, seeking to formally empower Field Marshal Asim Munir through the creation of a Chief of Defence Forces (CDF)post, a move aimed at ensuring greater coordination among the three services.
The proposed amendment seeks changes to Article 243 of the Constitution, which governs the command and structure of the armed forces. Under the new framework, the President will appoint both the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the Chief of Defence Forces on the advice of the Prime Minister, effectively placing the entire military chain of command under unified political approval.
The bill further stipulates that the Chief of Defence Forces, who will also serve as Army Chief, shall appoint the head of the National Strategic Command (NSC) in consultation with the Prime Minister. Notably, the NSC will continue to be headed by a Pakistan Army officer, reinforcing the Army&rsquo;s primacy in nuclear and strategic affairs.
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A major addition to the amendment allows the promotion of officers from the three services to Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, or Admiral of the Fleet, with lifetime privileges attached to these ranks. This ensures that Field Marshals will retain their title and benefits permanently &mdash; a clause seen by observers as directly benefiting Field Marshal Munir, elevated following the May border hostilities with India.
The amendment also declares that the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will be abolished after 27 November 2025, effectively replacing it with the new CDF role to serve as Pakistan&rsquo;s single-point military authority.
Sources in Islamabad suggest the move was influenced by lessons drawn from the four-day conflict with India in May, following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Indian Operation Sindoor, which resulted in heavy losses to Pakistani assets, including several F-16 aircraft. The short but intense confrontation underscored Pakistan&rsquo;s need for joint operational command and rapid inter-service coordination.
Soon after the clashes, General Asim Munir was promoted to Field Marshal, becoming the second officer in Pakistan&rsquo;s history to achieve the distinction, signalling his growing authority in the country&rsquo;s security structure.
In addition to defence-related provisions, the 27th Amendment Bill also seeks to establish a Federal Constitutional Court, revise judicial appointment procedures, and redefine the composition of provincial cabinets.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, while tabling the bill in the Senate, said it contained 49 clauses, covering &ldquo;three main and two ancillary areas,&rdquo; all aimed at &ldquo;institutional clarity and national coherence.&rdquo; The legislation has been referred to the Standing Committee on Law and Justice for further examination.
Analysts view this as a defining moment for Pakistan&rsquo;s civil-military balance, potentially consolidating unprecedented power under one military figure &mdash; Field Marshal Munir &mdash; while reshaping the country&rsquo;s strategic command structure amid shifting South Asian security dynamics.

Field Marshal Asim Munir during a military review

Islamabad tables 27th Amendment to unify command and elevate Field Marshal rank

Pakistan move to empower Field Marshal Munir

Islamabad tables 27th Amendment to unify command and elevate Field Marshal rank

November 9, 2025 | 15:10 IST