NA approves bill to extend tenure of armed forces’ chiefs

The National Assembly of Pakistan approved a legislative amendment on Monday to extend the tenures of all armed services chiefs from three years to five years.

The proposal, presented by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, was passed by a majority vote despite opposition protests.

The amendment standardises the service duration for the Chief of Army Staff and the heads of the Navy and Air Force.

This decision comes amid ongoing discussions about military leadership and its implications for institutional stability.

In addition to the military tenure amendment, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar introduced several judicial reforms aimed at increasing the efficiency of the country’s legal system.

He presented the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Ordinance, which proposes raising the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 34.

The bill was introduced to address a substantial backlog of pending cases, which has reportedly reached thousands.

As Tarar outlined the provisions of the bill, opposition members reacted with protests, chanting slogans and creating disruptions within the assembly. Despite the chaos, the minister continued to explain the need for the proposed changes, emphasizing the importance of increasing judicial capacity.

Furthermore, Tarar introduced the Islamabad High Court Amendment Bill 2024, which seeks to increase the number of judges in the Islamabad High Court from nine to twelve. This bill also includes provisions for expedited hearings of appeals and mandates that cases be processed on a “first-in, first-out” basis.

Another significant aspect of the amendments requires that all court proceedings be officially recorded, with transcripts available to the public for a nominal fee. This measure aims to enhance transparency in judicial processes and ensure that legal proceedings are accessible.

The National Assembly proceeded with voting on both bills amid continued opposition protests, which included members surrounding the Speaker’s dais and tearing copies of the bills. Some members engaged in physical altercations during the tumultuous session.

These legislative actions underscore the government’s focus on judicial reform and the standardization of military leadership tenures, responding to institutional demands and seeking to foster continuity within the armed forces and the judiciary.