Islamabad: The National Assembly of Pakistan has approved wide‑ranging changes to the laws that govern the country’s armed forces. The session was chaired by the Speaker, where Defense Minister Khawaja Asif presented three separate amendment bills: the Pakistan Army Act 1952, the Pakistan Air Force Act 1953, and the Pakistan Navy Ordinance 1961. According to Express News, all three bills were passed with a majority vote.
Army Act Amendments
The most significant change is that the Chief of Army Staff will now also hold the title of Chief of Defense Forces for a period of five years. This appointment will begin from the date of official notification. The federal government will define the duties and responsibilities of this new role.
The amendments also state that the position of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will be abolished starting from November 27, 2025. Instead, the Army Chief, acting as Chief of Defense Forces, will recommend the appointment of a Commander of the National Strategic Command for three years. The Prime Minister will decide the terms and conditions of this commander.
The law further allows the Prime Minister to extend the commander’s tenure for another three years. Importantly, such an extension cannot be challenged in any court. The retirement age or service limits will not apply to the Commander of National Strategic Command, who will continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army.
Clarification on Article 176(C)
Officials explained that Article 176(C) of the Army Act was originally added in 1978. The new amendment only updates it to include the appointment of the Chief of Defense Forces. No new positions such as Vice Chief or Deputy Chief of Army Staff are being created.
Navy Ordinance Amendments
The Assembly also passed the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2025. This bill aligns naval laws with the constitutional changes of 2025. It removes references to the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and adjusts the command structure to fit the new defense framework.
Changes include updates to terminology, replacing certain words with “and/or” to clarify responsibilities. Several sections, including 11D, 11E, and 11F, are proposed to be deleted. Section 208 will also remove references to the Joint Chiefs Chairman. The goal is to modernize naval law under the Multi‑Domain Integration Policy, ensuring better coordination among defense forces.
Air Force Act Amendments
The Pakistan Air Force Amendment Bill 2025 was also approved. It removes sections 10D, 10E, and 10F, along with references to the Chairman Joint Chiefs in Section 202. The law confirms that the Chief of Defense Forces will serve a five‑year term starting from the date of appointment.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar explained that these changes were necessary to harmonize existing laws with the 27th Constitutional Amendment. He emphasized that the reforms bring consistency across the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Other Bills Passed
During the same session, the Assembly also approved amendments to the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023. These changes remove certain sections related to constitutional benches and adjust how cases are assigned to judges.
In addition, a Domestic Violence Protection Bill was presented by Member Sharmila Faruqi and passed despite opposition from some lawmakers. Critics argued that the bill conflicted with Islamic principles, while supporters stressed the need for stronger protections against domestic abuse.
Prime Minister was present in the session and noted that coalition partners’ concerns, including those raised by MQM, would be addressed in future discussions.
The Bottom Line
The approval of these defense amendments marks a major shift in Pakistan’s military command structure. By giving the Army Chief the role of Chief of Defense Forces, the government aims to streamline leadership and strengthen coordination among all branches of the armed forces.