Pakistan—Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment has sparked intense debate following claims in ‘Foreign Policy Magazine’ that it disrupts the country’s nuclear command and control system.
A closer examination of the amendment, official statements and expert analysis, however, shows that the reform is administrative in nature and aimed at modernizing defence governance in Pakistan.
The amendment does not weaken civilian oversight or alter nuclear decision-making as claimed by the foreign media outlet.
At the heart of Pakistan’s nuclear framework remains the National Command Authority (NCA), chaired by the Prime Minister and comprising senior civilian ministers and top military leadership from all three services.
The NCA retains “full and unequivocal authority over all nuclear-related technologies systems and policy matters,” and nothing in the amendment changes this established hierarchy.
What the amendment changes and what it does not
Pakistan’s Law Minister clarified the scope of Article 243 reforms, stating: “As per the amendment, the President shall, on advice of the Prime Minister, appoint the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently, the Chief of the Defence Forces. The appointment of the Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Naval Staff will be made on the advice of the Prime Minister.”
Under the amendment, the office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) will be abolished from November 27, 2025.
The Prime Minister will appoint a Commander of the National Strategic Command from the Pakistan Army, determine his terms, and retain final authority.
Civilian supremacy remains constitutionally intact, with all key appointments flowing from the Prime Minister.
The amendment also introduces honorary five-star ranks Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet. While clearly stating that post-command responsibilities will be defined by the federal government “in the interest of the State,” countering claims of unchecked or lifetime power.
Strategic rationale behind the reform
Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani described the amendment as “aimed at strengthening defence and governance,” while also paying tribute to the sacrifices of Pakistan’s security forces in the fight against terrorism.
Strategic analyst Dr. Raashid Wali Janjua argues that the reforms were long overdue, given the realities of modern warfare.
He notes that future conflicts will be fought across land, air, sea, space, cyber, and electromagnetic domains, requiring “jointness and operational synergy” rather than siloed service commands.
The new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) post is designed to address long-standing coordination gaps and to align Pakistan’s command structure with models used by the United States, United Kingdom, NATO, and China.
Taken together, the amendment does not politicize nuclear command or centralize unchecked power.
Instead, it seeks to modernize Pakistan’s higher defence organization. Moreover, the Amendment reinforce civilian control and ensure faster, integrated decision-making in an era of multi-domain warfare without disturbing the credibility or continuity of Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence.
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