Afghanistan, Aug. 29 -- Pakistan has completed another stage in the consolidation of military authority around Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir - this time not through a coup or martial law, but through legislation passed by the country's elected parliament.
On August 20, the National Assembly and Senate passed the Defence Forces of Pakistan Act, 2026, and amendments to the National Command Authority Act, 2010. The legislation was approved by both chambers and received presidential assent the same day, according to Pakistan's parliamentary records.
The speed and manner of passage were striking. Dawn reported that opposition lawmakers walked out while the bills were being considered, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari objected to the way...