Pakistan’s parliament has passed a controversial set of constitutional amendments that expand the powers of the military and impose new limits on the authority of the Supreme Court, deepening concerns about the balance of power in the country’s fragile democracy.
The legislation, approved late Tuesday after heated debate, strengthens the role of the army chief in national security and policymaking decisions, while introducing measures that restrict the judiciary’s ability to overturn executive or military actions. Supporters of the bill say it will bring stability and clarity to Pakistan’s governance system. Critics, however, view it as another step toward military dominance in civilian affairs.
The amendments give the army chief greater influence over internal security coordination, intelligence oversight, and appointments within defense-linked institutions. Lawmakers aligned with the ruling coalition argued that these changes were necessary to ensure “institutional harmony” and to prevent what they described as judicial overreach.
At the same time, the new legislation limits the Supreme Court’s ability to initiate cases on its own or suspend parliamentary laws through immediate orders. The court will now require a panel decision to take up constitutional petitions, a move that many legal experts say undermines judicial independence.
Opposition parties walked out in protest during the final vote, calling the bill an assault on democratic principles. “This is a dark day for Pakistan’s democracy,” said one opposition lawmaker. “The parliament has handed more control to the military while weakening the one institution that has tried to check executive excess.”
The government defended the legislation, insisting that it does not diminish democracy but instead “clarifies institutional boundaries” to prevent future political crises. Ministers argued that past confrontations between the judiciary and the executive had created instability, which the new framework aims to avoid.
Political analysts say the amendments reflect a broader realignment of power between Pakistan’s civilian and military establishments. The military, already one of the most influential institutions in the country, is expected to play an even more active role in shaping security, foreign policy, and internal affairs.
Human rights groups and legal associations have warned that concentrating power in the hands of the military could erode civil liberties and undermine public trust in democratic institutions. “A strong democracy requires checks and balances, not unchecked authority,” said a representative from the Pakistan Bar Council.
As the political fallout unfolds, attention now turns to how the Supreme Court will respond. Several petitions challenging the legality of the amendments are expected to be filed in the coming days, setting the stage for another confrontation between Pakistan’s judiciary and its powerful military establishment.
