ISLAMABAD – Details of the proposed 27th constitutional amendment have been revealed, with significant changes suggested to 48 articles of the Constitution of Pakistan.
Among the key reforms is the creation of a new position—Chief of Defense Forces—by dissolving the existing role of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff as outlined in Article 243 of the Constitution.
In addition, the amendment proposes that the title of Field Marshal be made a lifetime position. This move reflects the evolving nature of military leadership in the modern era, especially following the lessons learned from recent conflicts, including the Pakistan-India war.
Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, discussing the amendment, emphasized that the nature of warfare has changed in the contemporary world, and these constitutional revisions aim to clarify the roles of senior military officials.
Tarar further explained that the inclusion of the Field Marshal position as a lifetime role is seen as an important part of the constitutional overhaul.
The proposed amendments will also address the command structure of Pakistan’s armed forces.
Amendment of Article 243 of the Constitution
In the Constitution, in Article 243,-(a) for clause (4), the following shall be substituted, namely:-
14) The President shall, on advice of the Prime Minister, appoint_.
(a) the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces;
(b) the Chief of the Naval Staff; and
(c)the Chief of the Air Staff;
and shall also determine their salaries and allowances.”; and (b) after clause (4), amended as aforesaid, the following new clauses (5), (6), (7), (8), ( ),(10) and (11) shall b2 8e inserted, namely:-
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (4), the office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee shall stand abolished with effect from the twenty-seventh day of November two thousand and twenty-five.
(6) The Prime Minister shall, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces, appoint the Commander of the National Strategic Command from the members of Pakistan Army and shall also determine his salaries and allowances.
(7) Where the Federal Government promotes a member of the Armed Forces to the rank of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force or Admiral of the Fleet, such officer shall retain the rank, privileges and remain in uniform for life.
(8) Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force and Admiral of the Fleet, being national heroes, shall not be remove from office except on the ground or charges and in the manner provided under Article 47.
(9) The provisions of Article 248, as applicable to the President, shall mutatis mutandis apply to Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force and Admiral of the Fleet. (10) Upon completion of the term of his command, under the law, the Federal Government shall determine the responsibilities and duties of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force or Admiral of the Fleet in the interest of State.
