he parliament has passed the 27th Constitutional Amendment, prompting both appreciation and criticism from political, legal and civil circles. Time will tell whether its impact proves to be positive or negative. What is clear, however, is that the amendment provides constitutional cover to the country’s hybrid political system.

The amendment introduces structural changes in the military command, consolidating authority under a single individual rather than a distributed structure. This centralisation, some observers say, could further enhance the military’s power in their interaction with civilian institutions. While the post of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee chairman has been abolished, senior military commanders now enjoy stronger constitutional protection than ever before.

Some rights organisations and sections of the legal fraternity have expressed concern over changes in the Judiciary introduced through the same amendment. The creation of a Federal Constitutional Court and changes in the appointment and transfer processes of judges, they argue, could undermine judicial independence by expanding the Executive’s influence. Under the new system, judges may be transferred between High Courts with limited consultation, a move seen as potentially compromising judicial autonomy.

The lifetime immunity for the president and other high offices has also drawn criticism, with some legal experts warning that it could further weaken the........

© The News on Sunday