ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday signed the Pakistan Army, Air and Navy Amendment Bills, 2025 after their approval by Parliament.
According to notifications shared by the PPP on social media platform
The bills, introduced by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, were passed this week by the lower and upper houses of Parliament – the National Assembly and the Senate.
What are the key changes?
Under the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, the COAS will concurrently serve as the Chief of Defense Force for five years. Field Marshal Munir’s tenure will resume from the date of issue of the new notification.
The provisions of article 243 applicable to a marshal will also apply to a general promoted to rank. The Federal Government may authorize the Vice Chief of Army Staff or the Deputy Chief of Army Staff to exercise the powers of the COAS, pursuant to written orders issued on the recommendation of the CDF.
The legislation further clarifies that once the first notification for dual tenure is issued, the tenure of the serving COAS will be deemed to have started again from the date of such notification.
The federal government will determine the duties and responsibilities of the CDF, including multi-domain integration, restructuring and ensuring jointness among the armed forces.
A major structural change approved in the bill is the elimination of the position of chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCSC), which will be replaced by the commander of the National Strategic Command. The Prime Minister may appoint the Commander from among the generals serving in the Pakistan Army for a term of three years, on the recommendation of the COAS/CDF.
The terms and conditions of appointment will be set by the Prime Minister, who may also grant a three-year extension in the interest of national security. The bill stipulates that any appointment, reappointment or extension of the term of office of the commander cannot be challenged in any court of law.
The Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill, 2025 deletes sections 10D, 10E and 10F of the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953, which previously dealt with the appointment of the PAF Chief as CJCSC, his tenure, extension and retirement.
All references to the CJCSC have been omitted from the law. Similarly, the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, deletes sections 14D, 14E and 14F relating to the appointment and tenure of the Chief of Navy as CJCSC, also removing the term from other provisions of the Act..
