Senate Approves Armed Forces and Supreme Court Bills to Align with 27th Amendment

The Senate of Pakistan on Friday approved key legislative bills, including amendments to the Pakistan Army Act, Pakistan Navy Act, Pakistan Air Force Act, and Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, following their passage in the National Assembly the previous day. The bills bring defence and judicial laws in line with the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

COAS to Serve as Chief of Defence Forces for Five Years

Central to the changes is the recommencement of Field Marshal Asim Munir’s five-year tenure under the newly created office of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar explained that the approval of the 27th Amendment required updates to multiple Acts, including those governing the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Army Act Amendment Bill was passed by a majority vote, though opposition came from JUI-F and PTI members.

Under the amendments:

• The COAS will concurrently serve as CDF for five years, starting from the date of the new notification.

• Article 243 provisions applicable to a Field Marshal will also apply to any General promoted to the rank.

• The federal government may authorize the Vice or Deputy Chief of Army Staff to exercise COAS powers under written orders from the CDF.

Abolition of CJCSC and Creation of National Strategic Command

A major structural change includes:

• Abolition of the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).

• Creation of the Commander of the National Strategic Command, appointed by the Prime Minister from serving Army generals for a three-year term.

• The Prime Minister can also extend the term for another three years, and appointments will not be subject to judicial challenge.

The amendments also remove references to CJCSC from the Air Force and Navy Acts, including sections on tenure, extension, and retirement.

Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Bill

The bill defines procedures for benches of the Supreme Court, replacing Constitutional Benches. Key provisions include:

• Every petition, appeal, or review will be heard by a committee of three judges: the Chief Justice, the next most senior judge, and one nominated by the Chief Justice.

• If a member is unavailable, the Chief Justice may nominate another judge.

• References to “Constitutional Benches” are removed from the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act, 2023.

Cabinet Approval and Additional Changes

Earlier, the Federal Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved the amendments. Other changes include:

• Alignment of defence legislation with Article 243.

• Introduction of honorary ranks: Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet.

• Draft Federal Constitutional Court (Procedure and Practice) Act, 2025 approved to define procedures for the new judicial body.