Protests Intensify Across Pakistan Over Expanding Powers of Army Chief Asim Munir

New Delhi: In a major update from Pakistan, opposition parties over there are holding nationwide protests on Sunday as the Shehbaz Sharif-led government is all set to pass a key constitutional amendment bill that will introduce changes, such as granting greater powers to Army Chief Asim Munir.

What new changes will the 27th Constitutional Amendment bring?

The 27th Constitutional Amendment will introduce a new post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), to be held by the Army Chief, currently Field Marshal Asim Munir. According to the reports of a senior leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), “After the 27th Amendment, the Field Marshal will receive lifetime privileges, and no case can ever be filed against him for his entire life. Asim Munir is so terrified of his own misdeeds that he is erecting a protective wall around himself.''

The official added, ''He fears that for what he has done to the country, he will have to stand in the dock, so he is securing lifetime immunity for himself.”

What political analyst Habib Akram said?

As per the political analyst Habib Akram, “After the 27th Amendment, the resolution of Pakistan’s political disputes will be beyond the reach of the courts. This will increase bitterness and have a direct impact on the economy.”

What is opposition leader, Abuzar Salman Niazi view on same?

Meanwhile, another opposition leader, Abuzar Salman Niazi, said, “In the Court of the Powerful: The Constitution of Pakistan and its Judiciary are found guilty of independence and loyalty to law. Sentenced to death under the 26th and 27th Amendments. Justice served, Hybrid Regime style.”

In his statement, MWM chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas said, “Democratic institutions have been paralysed in Pakistan. The nation must rise against the proposed 27th Amendment.”

“Our slogans will be: ‘Long live democracy,’ and ‘Down with dictatorship.’ Our third demand will call for the release of political prisoners,” PkMAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai said.

He further added, alliance had “no choice but to protest” against the government’s actions, which he said were “shaking the very foundations of the Constitution.”