The government swiftly passed a bill in the National Assembly to extend the tenure of the armed forces chiefs from three years to five, despite opposition protests that prompted action from the sergeant-at-arms to maintain order.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who introduced the bill, was seen using headphones to shield himself from the disruption caused by the opposition. The lower house approved amendments to the Army Act of 1952, the Pakistan Air Force Act of 1962, and the Pakistan Navy Act of 1953 through a supplementary agenda.
The amendments state that the retirement rules for generals in the Pakistan Army will not apply to the army chief, allowing for continued service during appointments, reappointments, or extensions. The bill aims to align these acts with the proposed five-year tenure for the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Chief of the Air Staff.
Notably, the previous retirement age of 64 for an army chief has been removed from the law through this amendment.
The government has reportedly prepared to extend the terms of the service chiefs following consultations with the Pakistan Peoples Party, although further discussions may be needed. Additionally, there is a strong likelihood that the Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill and a proposal to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 34 will be passed during this session.
This legislative push follows a precedent set in January 2020, when the Senate approved a law allowing the extension of military chiefs’ terms, raising concerns about the military’s influence in Pakistan’s governance.
On March 17, 2024, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted a one-year extension to Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu.
The National Assembly and Senate sessions, scheduled for 4 pm and 6 pm respectively, experienced delays, with the agenda including significant legislative items, such as the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Amendment Ordinance and a motion of gratitude for President Asif Ali Zardari’s address to a joint session. The government emphasized the need for all members of Parliament to be present to ensure the passage of these key bills.
