Pakistan judges quit as army chief gains sweeping new powers
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New constitutional amendments in Pakistan cut the powers of the judiciary and further empower the army chief.
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Supporters of Pakistan Democratic Movement, an alliance of the ruling political parties, gather to attend a rally outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, May 15, 2023 (AP)
Two Supreme Court judges in Pakistan resigned on Thursday, hours after parliament approved sweeping constitutional amendments that significantly curtail the judiciary’s authority and further empower the army chief.
Mansoor Ali Shah and Athar Minallah stepped down, with Shah describing the changes as a measure that “subjugates the judiciary to executive control,” according to Dawn newspaper.
The amendments, pushed through by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition using its two-thirds parliamentary majority, create a Federal Constitutional Court whose judges will be appointed by the premier, operating alongside the Supreme Court.
Pakistan shields president, current army chief with lifetime immunity
The legislation also grants lifelong legal immunity to Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and expands his command over all branches of the military. Munir, already Pakistan’s most powerful military figure, was appointed Chief of Defense Staff, a post that will give him control of the army, navy, and air force until 2030.
Opposition parties, led by the jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, are reportedly considering nationwide protests against the constitutional changes.
Munir’s influence extends beyond the military, playing a key role in shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy to align more closely with US interests, deepening Washington’s sway over the country's strategic direction.
Munir’s influence extends beyond the military, playing a key role in shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy to align more closely with US interests, deepening Washington’s sway over the country's strategic direction.
Following a brief conflict with India in May, Munir was promoted from four-star general to Pakistan’s second-ever field marshal. President Donald Trump recently described him as his “favorite Field Marshal.”
Since its independence in 1947, Pakistan has been ruled by the military for roughly half of its history, and Munir’s expanded powers underscore the enduring influence of the armed forces over the nation’s political and economic landscape.
