Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment comes at a time of deep civil–military imbalance, political fragmentation, and an establishment seeking to insulate itself from accountability. 

Background

• About Coup d’état: Defined as the illegal overthrow of a government, typically by the military.
• Pakistani Pattern: Historically, Pakistani generals (like Field Marshal Ayub Khan, General Zia-ul-Haq, and General Pervez Musharraf) seized power promising a temporary return to democracy but often ruled for about 9 to 11 years.
• Praetorian State: Historian Ayesha Jalal described Pakistan as a “Praetorian State,” where the military is the state, rather than being subservient to it.
• The Modern Coup (Asim Munir and the 27th Amendment): The current situation involves General Asim Munir executing a “constitutional coup”, a smart, guarded takeover involving military strategic manipulation, rather than overt use of force.

About 27th Amendment

• Creation of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF): The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee post was abolished, and the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) position was created, consolidating control over the Army, Navy, and Air Force in one individual’s hands, centralizing power.
• Lifetime Rank and Immunity: Field Marshal Munir is granted a lifetime rank, privileges, and immunity from prosecution, ensuring a lack of accountability for his actions.
• Control Over Nuclear Arsenal: The CDF will decide the commander of the National Strategic Command, which oversees Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, giving Munir indirect control over the nuclear arsenal.
• Smart Coup: The civilian government and Prime Minister maintain a democratic image, while the military chief holds de facto power, taking credit for successes and shifting blame for failures to the civilian leadership.
• Curtailed Judiciary: The 27th Amendment deliberately curtailed the Supreme Court’s powers, ensuring that only judges compliant with the military establishment’s directives are appointed, weakening the judiciary and making the Field Marshal’s word the de facto law.

Reasons for International and Domestic Silence

• International Support: Major democratic nations like the USA remain silent because Munir is courting them with offers of rare earth metals and mining opportunities. Thus, the US prioritizes financial and strategic interests over democracy. 
  • China, lacking democracy itself, and Arab nations also support the military establishment.
• Domestic Complicity: The current ruling political parties in Pakistan do not protest because they rely on the Army and Munir to keep them in power.

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Conclusion

The situation in Pakistan serves as an example of challenges to democracy in South Asia and is a case study of Constitutional Authoritarianism.

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