Bilawal Bhutto Reveals Govt Plans to Revise Article 243; Speculation Rises Over Army Chief Asim Munir’s Tenure
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League (N) has reached out to PPP and President Asif Ali Zardari for support on the proposed 27th Constitutional Amendment. Bhutto shared the development on X, detailing several key reforms under the amendment.
According to Bhutto, the proposed amendment includes the establishment of a constitutional court, revival of executive magistrates, and the transfer of judges. It also suggests changes affecting the protection of provincial shares under the National Finance Commission (NFC), along with a revision of Article 243 which defines the command structure of Pakistan’s armed forces and the return of education and population planning to the federal government.
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Bhutto further stated that the PPP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) will meet on November 6, following President Zardari’s return from Doha, to finalize the party’s stance on the amendment.
PPP currently shares power with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N) at the Centre, and both parties are working together to formalize the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
The proposed revision of Article 243 has sparked political debate, with analysts suggesting it could potentially strengthen the authority and position of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan’s current Chief of Army Staff. Munir, who was promoted to Field Marshal earlier this year, is scheduled to complete his tenure on November 28, 2025.
While the rank of Field Marshal carries ceremonial weight, it has never been officially codified in Pakistan’s constitution, adding further intrigue to the proposed change.