Democracy Crushed: Amendment 27 Elevates Army Above Courts, Parliament and the People

Baloch political activist Aomar Karim has issued a powerful condemnation of Pakistan’s newly enacted 27th Constitutional Amendment, calling it “a dark turning point in the country’s history and a direct assault on democratic principles, human rights, and the rule of law.”

Pakistan’s Parliament has granted Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir lifetime immunity from all legal accountability, expanded his authority over all armed forces, and restructured the judiciary to ensure executive and military influence over constitutional decisions.

Karim said the amendment proves beyond doubt that:

“In Pakistan, no institution is above the military – not Parliament, not the courts, and not the people.”

A Complete Breakdown of Democracy

Aomar Karim highlighted that the amendment violates democracy in every fundamental way, including:

1. Destruction of judicial independence

• A new constitutional court will be created with judges hand-picked by the President.
• This ensures the judiciary is no longer free, but controlled.
• Two senior Supreme Court judges have already resigned in protest, confirming the collapse of judicial autonomy.

2. Concentration of absolute power in the hands of the military

• Field Marshal Asim Munir now holds lifetime authority.
• He will oversee the Army, Navy, and Air Force, centralising power unprecedented in Pakistan’s history.

3. Removal of constitutional accountability

• Lifetime immunity shields him completely from arrest, investigation, or trial.
• This violates the democratic principle that no one is above the law.

4. Silencing dissent and opposition

• The amendment enables further repression of journalists, activists, and political opponents.
• It sends a message that criticism of the military is criminalised.

Karim stated:

“This amendment is not legislation – it is the legalisation of authoritarian rule. It proves that Pakistan is now officially a military-run state, not a democracy.”

Daily Human Rights Violations in Balochistan

Aomar Karim further emphasised that this amendment will worsen the already dire human rights situation in Balochistan, where state violence is widespread and systematic.

He highlighted that every day, Baloch civilians face:

• Enforced disappearances of students, activists, and innocent citizens
• Extrajudicial killings carried out with complete impunity
• Torture and incommunicado detention
• Dumped bodies, a long-standing pattern in the region
• Collective punishments, raids, and military operations targeting entire villages
• Silencing of journalists, media blackouts, and intimidation

Karim said:

“The military establishment commits daily human rights violations in Balochistan. People are abducted, tortured, and killed without trial. This amendment will only protect perpetrators and guarantee more suffering for our people.”

“Everyone who supported this amendment is responsible”

In a direct message to Pakistan’s lawmakers, Karim added:

“Every person who voted for this amendment is morally and historically accountable for enabling dictatorship. History will not forget their role in destroying democracy, silencing justice, and empowering a military institution that violates human rights daily.”

Call for International Action

Karim urged global human rights bodies, democratic governments, and the United Nations to intervene:

“Pakistan is now formally under military rule. International actors must recognise this as a threat to human rights and regional stability.”