Parliament passes important defence command bills

Islamabad – Pakistan’s Parliament has approved two important laws related to defence and national command systems. The National Assembly and Senate on Thursday passed the Defence Forces of Pakistan Act 2026 and the National Command Authority Amendment Bill 2026.

The federal cabinet also approved both the drafts on the same day. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the cabinet meeting. The government called the legislation a necessary legal process after the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif presented both the bills in the National Assembly. The opposition walked out of the meeting, objecting to the procedure. The bills were brought to the House under the supplementary agenda.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also expressed reservations over the government’s approach. He said that he supported the purpose of the legislation but was not satisfied with the manner in which the allies were taken into confidence. Later, PPP members voted in favour of the bills.

Later, the Senate also passed both the bills. Thus, the parliamentary stage of the legislation was completed. Opposition members in the Senate also objected to the immediate presentation of the bills and walked out in protest.

The main objective of the new legislation is to bring the country’s defence command system in line with the 27th Constitutional Amendment. This amendment made important changes to Article 243 of the Constitution.

Under the 27th Amendment, the post of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was abolished. With this, a new post of Chief of Defence Forces was introduced. The Army Chief was simultaneously given the responsibility of Chief of Defence Forces.

Under the new law, Defence Forces Headquarters will be established. The Chief of Defence Forces will be its head. This office will advise the Prime Minister on military matters related to defence and national security.

The law also gives the Chief of Defence Forces the powers related to command and control of the armed forces. This includes joint action and coordination between the three services.

The law also clarifies the powers of the Chief of Defence Forces in relation to certain service matters. These include the powers related to retirement, retention in service and approval or rejection of resignation.

Another law, the National Command Authority Act 2010, has been aligned with the new defence structure. It has replaced the references of the old military posts in accordance with the new command system.

In the amended system, the Chief of Defence Forces and Commander of National Strategic Command have been included in the structure of the National Command Authority. The National Command Authority is the key institution related to the country’s nuclear command system.

The 27th Constitutional Amendment also introduced the post of Commander National Strategic Command. This four-star post is related to the operational supervision of the country’s strategic forces.

According to the government, the new legislation aims to implement constitutional changes and close the loopholes in the legal framework of the defence institutions. The opposition, however, has raised questions about the pace and methodology of the legislation.