Legal immunity for Pakistan Defence Chief Munir sparks controversy, Islamic scholar calls it ‘haram’

A sign of growing discontent in Pakistan has emerged as a senior Islamic scholar from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) publicly questioned the legal immunity granted to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir under the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

IBNS • 26 Dec 2025, 12:00 pm

Mufti Taqi Usmani described the move as “haram,” or forbidden, and reportedly challenged the moral and religious basis for granting lifetime legal immunity to Pakistan’s top rulers. Sources told CNN-News18 that Usmani emphasized that no ruler, general, or caliph is above accountability under the Quran and Sunnah.

The 27th Constitutional Amendment, passed in November, created the post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), giving Army Chief General Asim Munir overarching authority across Pakistan’s military establishment.

The amendment revised Article 243 of the Constitution, allowing the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, to appoint both the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Forces.

Under the new framework, the CDF will also appoint the head of the National Strategic Command, responsible for Pakistan’s nuclear and strategic operations, in consultation with the Prime Minister.

The amendment comes in the wake of escalating regional tensions, including the four-day India-Pakistan conflict in May, following India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).