Islamabad, Dec 7 (NationPress) Following the swift approval of the 27th Constitutional Amendment by both chambers of parliament and its rapid signing by President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan has effectively reduced provincial autonomy and bolstered military power over crucial national matters, according to a report.

Proponents of the amendment argue that it is essential for addressing Pakistan's persistent instability, as highlighted by a report in International Policy Digest. They maintain that pure democracy is incompatible with Islamic societies, claiming that a controlled democratic framework is necessary for maintaining order. However, this assertion falters under scrutiny. Countries with significant Muslim populations, such as Indonesia, Senegal, and pre-coup Tunisia, demonstrate that pluralism can coexist with Islam and often reinforces one another.

"The core issue in Pakistan has never been a cultural mismatch with democracy. The primary barrier is institutional insecurity, characterized by a deep-rooted mistrust of provincial autonomy, a tendency to manage diversity through authoritarian governance, and a persistent belief among the elite that popular decision-making is too perilous to endorse," the report states.

The 27th Amendment is designed to enhance financial and policy-making authority, strengthen judicial oversight, and deepen the military's role within the constitutional framework. Provincial authorities, already limited, now find themselves officially subservient.

"Pakistan has officially opted for centralization over federalism. The enactment of the 27th Amendment, facilitated by a two-thirds parliamentary majority and signed rapidly by the President, signifies a structural diminishment of provincial autonomy and an augmentation of military authority over critical national spheres. For a nation characterized by remarkable linguistic, ethnic, and regional diversity, this is not standard constitutional maintenance; it constitutes a fundamental reconfiguration of the republic," the report elaborates.

The 27th Amendment represents a pivotal moment, as choosing coercive unity over negotiated federalism in Pakistan favors short-term control at the cost of long-term stability. Although the center may have attained constitutional supremacy, it has simultaneously endangered the political cohesion vital for the country's future.

"Compounding this structural change is what many now refer to as the 'Asim Munir model,' which is not a coup in the traditional sense but a more nuanced arrangement: military governance concealed within a democratic façade. The outward appearance remains civilian, but the strategic decisions are dictated otherwise. Policy formulation occurs at GHQ, economic diplomacy is directed by the security establishment, and investment priorities are determined under military oversight. Elected officials engage in the routine of governance—parliamentary meetings, press conferences, and diplomatic handshakes—while the genuine direction is orchestrated from elsewhere," states the International Policy Digest report.

"For some, this may seem efficient, even comforting: finally, someone is taking control. However, this efficiency comes with a price. The buffer that once separated military authority from public accountability has vanished. If this is indeed the new paradigm, the consequences—employment, inflation, economic growth, and the day-to-day worries of ordinary families—are now the responsibility of the generals as well. They cannot retreat into the shadows if failures arise. In this iteration of Pakistani politics, the military does not just influence decisions; it owns them," the report concludes.