President signs 2025 amendment bills related to Pakistan Armed Forces
President Asif Ali Zardari. Photo: PID
President Asif Ali Zardari has signed three laws related to the Pakistan Armed Forces, passed by both houses of Parliament under the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
The President gave assent to the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2025, Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill 2025, and Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2025, making them acts of Parliament.
صدرِ مملکت آصف علی زرداری نے پاکستان آرمی (ترمیمی) بل 2025، پاکستان ایئر فورس (ترمیمی) بل 2025 اور پاکستان نیوی (ترمیمی) بل 2025 کی منظوری دے دی ہے۔@AAliZardari pic.twitter.com/7qDI2SAtjc
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Under the Army Act amendments, the Army Chief will also serve as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). The CDF’s tenure will start from the date of official notification. If a general is promoted to Field Marshal, they will serve under Subsection 2. The federal government will determine the duties and responsibilities of the Army Chief/CDF.
The bill abolishes the position of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) effective November 27, 2025. On the Army Chief/CDF’s recommendation, the Prime Minister will appoint the Commander of National Strategic Command (CNSC) for a three-year term and set the post’s rules and conditions. Reappointment for another three years is allowed on the CDF’s recommendation, and such extensions cannot be challenged in court.
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The amendments further state that retirement age, service tenure, and removal provisions under the Army Act will not apply to the CNSC, who will continue serving in the Pakistan Army at the rank of General.
The 27th Constitutional Amendment represents a significant overhaul of Pakistan’s military command structure, redefining the hierarchy and responsibilities of top military leadership.
The reforms aim to streamline decision-making, integrate multi-domain operations across the armed forces, and enhance coordination between the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The changes follow years of debate over civil-military relations and come amid a broader push to modernise Pakistan’s defence framework.
These changes centralise operational authority in the CDF while enhancing the Prime Minister’s role in appointments, reflecting a major restructuring of Pakistan’s military command hierarchy under the 27th Constitutional Amendment.