Pakistan’s parliament on Thursday approved a controversial constitutional amendment that critics say will deepen authoritarianism and destroy civilian oversight of the military. The new amendment grants lifelong immunity from prosecution to President Ásif Ali Zardári and also to top military commanders.
Pakistan’s parliament approved a constitutional amendment on Thursday that grants the president and the chief of the ground forces immunity for life. Critics warn that this move will weaken democracy and the independence of the judiciary, TASR reports, according to an AFP report.
- The amendment grants the president and the chief of the armed forces immunity for life.
- The changes strengthen military power and introduce a Federal Constitutional Court.
- The amendment abolishes civilian oversight of the military.
- The amendment guarantees the president protection from criminal prosecution.
Málik: The constitutional change will deepen authoritarianism and every hint of democracy will be lost
The Twenty-seventh Amendment, passed by a two-thirds majority, also consolidates military power under the new position of Chief of the Armed Forces and establishes a Federal Constitutional Court. The changes allow the chief of the ground forces to command land, air and sea forces at the same time.
Any officer promoted to field marshal, air marshal or admiral of the fleet will henceforth retain his rank, privileges and position for life and enjoy immunity from prosecution – protections hitherto reserved only for the head of state.
“This constitutional change will deepen authoritarianism and any little semblance of democracy that existed in this country will be lost,” said Osama Malik, a lawyer based in Islamabad. “Not only will civilian oversight of the military be removed, but the military hierarchy, in which all commanders were equal under a joint command system, will also be completely destroyed,” he told AFP.
Zardari faced accusations in several cases of corruption
The amendment also guarantees immunity to President Asif Ali Zardária, protecting him from any criminal prosecution. But the law specifies that this protection will not apply to the former president if he later holds another public office.
Zardari was accused in several cases of corruption in the past, although the proceedings have already been suspended, writes AFP. The amendment also prohibits courts from challenging any constitutional amendment “for any reason whatsoever.”
The bill will now go to the president for his signature.
