Army chief becomes defence forces’ head as NA approves changes to Army Act

Army chief becomes defence forces’ head as NA approves changes to Army Act

Army chief has become defence forces’ head as National Assembly approved changes to Army Act. File photo

November, 13 2025

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk): The National Assembly approved major changes to laws governing Pakistan’s armed forces and the Supreme Court, just minutes after the bills were tabled by the government.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif introduced the Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2025, all of which were passed with majority votes.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also presented the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2025, which was approved the same way.

Tarar explained that all four bills, passed within nine minutes and without debate, were designed to align existing laws with the newly signed 27th Constitutional Amendment Act. “These are not new laws. These are amendments to the present laws,” he clarified.

The amendment to the Pakistan Army Act makes the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) while abolishing the post of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC). The CDF’s term will last five years from the date of appointment.

The amendment also restarts the tenure of the current army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, from the date of his new appointment as CDF.

Another key change introduces the position of Commander of the National Strategic Command (CNSC), to be appointed by the prime minister on the army chief’s recommendation for a three-year term, with the option to extend it by another three years.

It also allows the prime minister, upon the army chief’s advice, to authorise a vice or deputy chief of army staff to exercise powers of the army chief when required.

The amendments to the air force and navy laws also removed the CJCSC position from their frameworks. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court amendment abolished the constitutional bench, marking another significant shift in the judicial structure.