ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, is going to place the Army Act Amendment Bill before the Senate for approval today, with the agenda for the session also being released.
The agenda reveals that apart from the Army Act Amendment Bill, the Defence Minister would also move the Pakistan Air Force Act Amendment Bill and the Pakistan Navy Ordinance Amendment Bill for the Senate’s consent.
Moreover, the Law Minister, Azam Nazeer Tarar, will come up with the amended Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Bill for consent to present it in Parliament. These bills are now going to be presented to the Senate after having been approved by the National Assembly.
After the 27th Constitutional Amendment was approved by the National Assembly, the Army Act Amendment Bill 2025 makes several substantial changes. One of the changes proposed in the bill is that the new notification will be issued for the Chief of the Army, who will now be the Chief of Defence Forces, and their term will be started as a new one. It is the Army Chief who is going to carry out the restructuring and integration of all the Pakistan Army sectors under the supervision of the changes described in the amendments.
Furthermore, the bill argues that the Prime Minister, based upon the Army Chief’s advice, will be the one to appoint the Commander of the National Strategic Command. The Commander will serve for a three-year term, and he will have the option to be reappointed for another three years.
In addition, the Army Act provides that the position of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will be abolished as of November 27, which is anticipated to significantly alter the military hierarchy.
After the National Assembly gives its approval to these bills, they will then be sent to the Senate for final approval. Upon consent, the legislation will usher in significant changes in the organization of Pakistan’s military as well as the defense policy.
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The changes brought on by the Army Act Amendment Bill are meant to facilitate the military in performing its duties more efficiently and achieving better coordination among the Pakistan armed forces and ending the chairmanship of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee is a significant change in the command structure.
