Pakistan stands at a crossroads as 2025 draws to a close, grappling with a storm of political, military, and economic uncertainty. The country, long seen as a pivotal player in South Asia, now finds itself caught in a tangle of constitutional amendments, military dominance, and the high-stakes ambitions of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Each of these forces is reshaping Pakistan’s future, but not always in ways its architects intended.
On November 13, 2025, Pakistan’s Parliament passed the 27th Amendment to its Constitution, a move that, according to Hindustan Times, has fundamentally altered the nation’s balance of power. The amendment formalized the supremacy of the military over civilian institutions, creating the new, permanent, and constitutionally recognized post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). This role, held concurrently by the Chief of Army Staff, now centralizes command over all branches of the armed forces under one person—currently Field Marshal Asim Munir. While the move was hailed by some for its potential to enhance military coordination, critics were quick to warn that it effectively sidelines civilian oversight and undermines the country’s fledgling democracy.
Perhaps the most controversial provision of the amendment is the grant of lifelong immunity from criminal prosecution and civil proceedings to five-star generals, including Munir himself. As Hindustan Times points out, this places unelected officials above the law in a way that even the president and prime minister do not enjoy after leaving office. The amendment also established a new Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), which now assumes the Supreme Court’s former jurisdiction over constitutional interpretation, fundamental rights, and inter-governmental disputes. The Supreme Court, once the highest arbiter of justice in Pakistan, is now relegated primarily to hearing civil and criminal appeals.
The process for appointing and transferring judges has also changed, with the government playing a key role in appointing the initial FCC judges. This has sparked concerns among legal scholars and political leaders alike, many of whom view the amendment as a “constitutional coup” and an assault on the rule of law. The changes to fiscal and administrative autonomy for provinces have further fueled fears that the federal government could tighten its grip on resources, weakening provincial independence.
In this context, Field Marshal Asim Munir has been consolidating power, with Hindustan Times describing him as a de facto dictator. Munir’s position is further entrenched by the new legal structure, which grants him and other five-star officers lifelong immunity from legal proceedings. This, critics argue, removes a critical check on military power and transforms Pakistan into what some are calling a “legalized authoritarian state.”
But the transition has not been smooth. According to a report by ANI, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was conspicuously absent from the country when the crucial notification for Munir’s elevation as CDF was expected. Former National Security Advisory Board member Tilak Devasher told ANI, “He is deliberately staying out of this because he clearly doesn't want to issue the notification giving Asim Munir 5 years as Army chief and as Chief of Defence Forces. He thinks that by keeping away from Pakistan and not having to sign the notification, he can escape the consequences.”
The government missed the November 29 deadline to formally notify Munir’s appointment, plunging Pakistan’s military leadership into confusion. As Devasher explained, “If the fact remains that he (Asim Munir) is no longer the Army chief, then you have a situation where Pakistan doesn't have an Army chief and even the nuclear command authority, which was supposed to be under the new post of Strategic Forces Command, is also not there. So, it's an extremely strange situation that Pakistan is under at the moment.”
This ambiguity has led to internal jockeying within the military, with senior officers reportedly vying for the top posts. The legal debate over whether a new notification is even necessary has only added to the confusion. Some experts argue that amendments to the Pakistan Army Act in 2024, which set service chiefs’ terms at five years, mean Munir’s term is automatically extended. Others, like Devasher, caution that the issue remains unresolved and Munir’s position is “very tenuous.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s economic landscape is being reshaped by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Launched in 2015 with an initial investment of $46 billion, CPEC was meant to transform Pakistan’s infrastructure and serve as a strategic corridor for China. But as reported by 24.kg, progress has fallen far short of expectations. Of the 90 planned projects, only 38 have been completed as of 2025, and key initiatives like the Gwadar Port and its airport operate on a limited scale.
The project has also saddled Pakistan with substantial debt. By 2025, CPEC obligations have ballooned to approximately $30 billion, creating serious debt pressure due to high interest rates and foreign currency financing. Only three of the nine Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC are actively developing, while the rest remain stuck in planning or discussion stages, highlighting significant institutional and coordination challenges.
Local resistance, especially in Balochistan, has further complicated matters. Residents have called for a more balanced approach that considers local interests alongside major investment goals. Environmental concerns are also mounting, with increased resource consumption and emissions threatening local ecosystems. The need for strengthened monitoring and sustainable solutions is becoming ever more urgent.
In response to these challenges, CPEC has entered a new phase—CPEC 2.0—by 2025. This iteration prioritizes industrial zones, agriculture, and extractive industries over large-scale mega-projects, reflecting both financial constraints and the practical realities of implementation. Yet, as 24.kg notes, the project remains strategically important, but its future success depends on flexibility, careful management, and a strategic approach to risk allocation.
Adding another layer of complexity, the consolidation of military power under Munir is expected to have far-reaching consequences for Pakistan’s relations with India. Munir has issued explicit nuclear threats and warned of a “decisive, beyond proportions” response to any “minor provocation.” His stance on Kashmir, which he describes as a “legitimate” struggle rather than terrorism, signals a more aggressive and less predictable Pakistani posture. This centralization of military decision-making, coupled with diminished civilian oversight, has heightened India’s security concerns and could lead to a period of managed hostility and heightened vigilance.
Pakistan’s journey through 2025 has been anything but smooth. With military dominance formalized, economic ambitions constrained by debt and underperformance, and political institutions weakened, the nation faces a future marked by uncertainty and risk. The coming months will test the resilience of its institutions and the resolve of its people as they navigate these uncharted waters.
