Cabinet approves Defence Forces Act 2026, amendments to National Command Authority Act 2010

Bills are expected to be presented to Parliament for approval during its ongoing session

The federal cabinet on Thursday approved the drafts of the Defence Forces Act 2026 and amendments to the National Command Authority Act 2010, paving the way for legislation to implement changes to the military command structure introduced through the 27th Constitutional Amendment, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

The draft was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by PM Shehbaz in Islamabad and was expected to be presented to Parliament for approval during its ongoing session.

The Defence Forces Act was prepared to give effect to changes made to Article 243 of the Constitution through the 27th Amendment, which recast the country's military command structure. The constitutional changes provided for the army chief to simultaneously serve as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), while abolishing the office of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).

According to the PMO, the draft law would set out the administrative arrangements relating to the office of the CDF and the CDF Headquarters, providing the legal framework for the new command structure established through the constitutional amendment.

The cabinet also approved amendments to the National Command Authority Act 2010, which the PMO described as a necessary step following the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The amended bill would also be presented before Parliament.

وفاقی کابینہ کا اجلاس، ڈیفینس فورسز ایکٹ 2026ء اور نیشنل کمانڈ اتھارٹی ایکٹ 2010ء میں ترمیم کی منظوری#FederalCabinet #DefenceForcesAct #NationalCommandAuthority pic.twitter.com/fIA9JPDC6G

— APP (@appcsocialmedia) August 20, 2026

New military framework under 27th amendment

Under the new framework, the CDF's term would begin from the date of notification, while the federal government would determine the duties and responsibilities of the office. The amendment also provided that the incumbent army chief's tenure would recommence from the date of his notification as CDF.

The position of CJCSC was to be abolished on November 27. It was replaced under the new framework by the Commander of the National Strategic Command, with the prime minister empowered to appoint the commander on the recommendation of the army chief and CDF for a three-year term.

PM Shehbaz on July 24 promoted Lieutenant General Aamer Raza, chief of the general staff of the Pakistan Army, to the rank of four-star general and appointed him as Commander National Strategic Command.

Read: PM Shehbaz appoints General Aamer Raza as Commander National Strategic Command

The prime minister could reappoint the commander for one additional three-year term on the recommendation of the CDF. The appointment, reappointment or extension could not be challenged in any court.

The framework further stipulated that the retirement age, service tenure and removal provisions under the Army Act would not apply to the Commander of the National Strategic Command, who would continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army.

The cabinet also approved amendments to the National Command Authority Act 2010, which the PMO described as a necessary step following the 27th Constitutional Amendment. The amended bill would also be presented before Parliament.

The constitutional changes were followed by amendments to the service laws governing the Army, Navy and Air Force. The Pakistan Navy amendments removed provisions relating to the CJCSC and revised the command structure and terminology concerning the Chief of Naval Staff, while the Pakistan Air Force amendments removed corresponding provisions and references to the CJCSC.

On December 4, Field Marshal Asim Munir was appointed the country's first CDF, a position also created by the 27th amendment. He would serve as both the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and CDF, a rare distinction in the country’s military hierarchy.