Pakistan’s parliament on Wednesday passed a constitutional amendment granting expanded powers to the army chief and curbing the authority of the Supreme Court, a move that critics warned would inflict lasting damage on the country’s democracy, reported news agency Reuters.

The National Assembly approved the bill with more than a two-thirds majority, with only four lawmakers opposing it. The Senate had passed the legislation two days earlier after the opposition boycotted the debate, resulting in an unusually swift approval process for a constitutional amendment. The measure will become law once signed by the president — a step seen as a formality.

Under the new amendment, Army Chief Asim Munir will assume the new role of Chief of Defence Forces, gaining command over the army, navy, and a

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