The National Assembly has approved a bill seeking to amend the Pakistan Army Act of 1952, which extends the fixed tenure of military chiefs to five years.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif presented the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 1952, in the lower house of parliament.
According to the bill, the amendments aim to align the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, the Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961, and the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953, with the maximum tenures of the Chief of the Army Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Chief of the Air Staff. The bill also includes consequential amendments to ensure uniformity across these laws.
“The purpose of these amendments are to make consistent the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, The Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961 and The Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 with the maximum tenure of the Chief of the Army Staff, the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff and to make consequential amendments for uniformity in the aforementioned laws,” the amendment read.
“The retirement age and service limits prescribed for a General, under the Rules and Regulations made under this Act, shall not be applicable to the Chief of the Army Staff, during his tenure of appointment, reappointment and/or extension. Throughout such tenure, the Chief of the Army Staff shall continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army,” the amendment
Meanwhile, another bill to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 34 has also been passed.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented ‘ Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) (Amendment) Act, 2024 which was passed with majority of votes.
The PTI lawmakers gathered in front of the speaker rostrum, tore apart copies of the bill and chanted slogans.
