National Assembly approves key military amendments

Army, Air Force, Navy acts amended to create Chief of Defence Forces, new top ranks

The National Assembly approved amendments to the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953, and Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961, with a majority vote to bring the laws governing the armed forces in line with the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

The session saw Defence Minister Khawaja Asif present the amendment bills, which were approved by the House following voting. The lawmakers also passed the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure (Amendment) Bill during the same sitting.

Explaining the amendments, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the legislative changes were introduced to harmonise existing laws with the new constitutional framework.

He stated that the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) will serve a five-year term from the date of appointment, while certain adjustments have been made to the structures of the Air Force and Navy. He added that amendments concerning appointments to the newly established Constitutional Court had also been approved, with the Chief Justice to be the first appointee.

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The law minister further said that going forward, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) will also serve as the Chief of Defence Forces. Tarar said Article 243 of the Constitution had also been amended to formally recognise the rank of Field Marshal. He confirmed that the Ministry of Defence had submitted three summaries, which were approved by the cabinet.

Later, Khawaja Asif introduced the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2025, Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill 2025, and Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2025, all of which were passed by the House.

New powers defined for CDF

The new amendment provides that the CDF’s tenure will begin from the date of notification. The COAS will simultaneously serve as the CDF. In case a General is promoted to the rank of Field Marshal, he will perform duties as outlined under the amended clause.

The amendment further stipulates that the federal government will appoint the Vice Chief of Army Staff or Deputy Chief on the recommendation of the CDF. The Vice Chief will exercise powers and perform duties under the directions of the army chief.

The amendment also introduces changes in Section B, replacing the term “government” and providing that appointments will now be made based on the recommendation of the army chief.

Under Clause 8G of the amended Act, the position of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will be abolished effective November 27, 2025. In its place, the prime minister, on the recommendation of the army chief and CDF, will appoint a Commander of the National Strategic Command for a three-year term.

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The prime minister will determine the service conditions and tenure of the Commander, who may be reappointed for another three-year term upon the recommendation of the CDF. The appointment, reappointment, or extension of the Commander will not be subject to judicial review.

The bill also stipulates that the retirement age, service tenure, or removal clauses under the Army Act will not apply to the Commander National Strategic Command, who will continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army while performing his duties in the role.

Earlier in the day, the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved a series of legislative amendments to align national laws with the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

The meeting, held at the Parliament House, also endorsed the creation of the post of CDF and the abolition of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee upon the retirement of the incumbent.

The revised legislation introduces three new honorary military ranks — Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet — to reflect modern military structures and contemporary defence needs.

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The cabinet also approved the draft of the Federal Constitutional Court (Procedure and Practice) Act, 2025, establishing a Constitutional Court under the 27th Amendment, and ratified the decisions of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting held on November 7.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the amendments were part of the legislative process following the constitutional change. “A new position has been created under the amendment, and corresponding ranks have been established for the Navy and Air Force as well,” he said.

Asif noted that the constitutional amendment had already become part of the law and that the new measures were necessary to give it full legal effect. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said it was essential to make corresponding changes to the relevant laws after the constitutional amendment.

Following the approvals, the National Assembly session was adjourned until 11am on Friday.