ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Sweeping legal reforms and 
regional conflict have consolidated the Pakistani military's grip on power in 
the past year, diluting the role of the civilian government while offering an 
unprecedented legal shield to the army chief, experts say.

Widely seen as Pakistan's most powerful institution, the military has 
governed the country for nearly half its existence via a series of coups 
since independence in 1947.

One of those military rulers, General Pervez Musharraf, was found guilty of 
treason while living in exile after an almost decade-long rule, which began 
in a 1999 coup.

But experts say a repeat of that scenario is increasingly unlikely.

Constitutional changes rushed through parliament in November gave sweeping 
new powers to top officials including the current army chief, Field Marshal 
Asim Munir, already considered the most powerful man in the country.

Munir's Field Marshal rank, granted after the deadly conflict in May with 
arch-rival India, now also includes lifelong immunity from legal prosecution.

"Lifelong immunity means that tomorrow, if Asim Munir imposes a martial law, 
he will never be tried for committing an act of treason," said defence 
analyst Ayesha Siddiqa.

"So theoretically, a coup is possible," she told AFP.

Islamabad-based legal expert Osama Malik believes the constitutional 
amendment means "this time is different".

"The constitution itself is being disfigured during a civilian government, 
and not when a martial law is imposed," he told AFP.

After the May conflict with India -- which Munir claims to have won -- and 
amid escalating clashes with neigbouring Afghanistan, some of the resentment 
expressed by Pakistanis after last year's heated election brought a surge of 
anti-military rhetoric has also eased.

Despite some opposition parties denouncing Munir's new role and legal 
immunity, few people dared to protest openly and there was only a short flash 
of social media outrage.

The military has not officially commented on the constitutional amendments, 
and neither it nor the government responded to requests for comment.

- 'Hybrid' model -

No prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term in Pakistan's 
history, and civilian governments have acknowledged the military's role in 
state affairs.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called the situation a "hybrid" model and 
signalled key decisions are influenced by both civilian and military leaders. 

"It is by consensus, whatever is taking place," he told digital media outlet 
Zeteo in September, though he denied that the army chief held more authority 
than elected ministers.

Even during periods of civilian rule, most Pakistanis consider the army chief 
the country's real kingmaker -- meaning Munir's new powers are freighted with 
huge political significance as the country navigates a sensitive geopolitical 
period following armed conflict with both its neighbours.

Munir previously led Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency.

Yet he was ousted from that post in 2019 after just eight months under 
previous prime minister Imran Khan, for reasons that have never been made 
public.

Khan himself was later pushed out by a no-confidence vote in the country's 
legislature in 2022, which analysts say was the result of falling out with 
the army. His successor, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif elevated Munir to army 
chief.

The military has long denied the involvement in elections or political 
affairs.

Khan is now languishing in jail on corruption charges he denies, with his 
many supporters accusing the army of fostering his rival coalition government 
while pushing through two constitutional amendments in a year to tighten its 
oversight of courts and judges.

Resentment among Khan supporters boiled over into mass nationwide protests in 
2023 ahead of elections he ultimately lost, and a march on the capital last 
year that turned into a violent standoff with authorities.

"Everything that is being done in Pakistan, let it be constitutional 
amendments or new parallel forces, is out of fear of Imran Khan and his 
popularity," said Zulfikar Bukhari, spokesperson for Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-
e-Insaf party.

- 'Favourite field marshal' -

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said the constitutional change 
"further weakens essential checks and balances at a time when public trust in 
state institutions is fragile".

The changes elevate Munir to 'Chief of Defence Forces', expanding his 
oversight to include the air force and the navy.

Initially set to retire in 2027, Munir can now also remain in office until 
2030, giving him "an opportunity to oversee the next elections", Siddiqa 
said.

Munir has also bolstered his international standing, recently making two 
official visits to the United States, where President Donald Trump called him 
"his favourite field marshal".

In photos released by the White House, Munir stands by Sharif and Trump in a 
suit and tie, raising eyebrows at home given army chiefs have in the past 
worn uniform during official visits.