ISLAMABAD (MNN); The National Assembly on Thursday passed the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act 2025 — a historic piece of legislation that designates the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for a five-year term, effective November 27, 2025. On the same date, the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will be abolished.
Under the new law, a fresh notification will be issued to appoint the COAS as the Chief of Defence Forces, restarting the tenure of the incumbent army chief. The newly created position will hold authority to restructure and integrate all branches of the Pakistan Armed Forces.
Presenting the bill, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that the prime minister will appoint the Chief of Defence Forces on the recommendation of the federal cabinet, and the tenure will begin from the date of appointment. “The office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will stand abolished on November 27,” he confirmed.
The legislation also establishes the post of National Strategic Commander, who will oversee the country’s strategic command structure. The National Strategic Commander will serve a three-year term, extendable for another three years at the prime minister’s discretion. The appointment or extension of this position will not be subject to judicial review, and general retirement laws will not apply.
The bill empowers the federal government to define the powers and functions of the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, along with any Vice or Deputy Chiefs, under a unified command and control system. It further introduces clauses on multi-domain integration, organisational restructuring, and the rank of Field Marshal.
New sections, 8D to 8G, have been added or amended to align with the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which initiated the broader defence reforms. The main goal is to harmonise the operational and command structures of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Alongside the Army Act, the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill 2025 were also approved.
The Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill 2025 revises the Pakistan Air Force Act 1953 by removing references to the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and adding updates to reflect the new command structure. Sections 10D, 10E, and 10F have been omitted, and all mentions of “Chairman Joint Chiefs” have been deleted to align with the defence reforms.
Similarly, the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2025 amends the Navy Act 1961 to eliminate references to the abolished post and introduces the concept of “multi-domain integration” within the naval command structure.
According to government officials, the defence reforms are designed to unify command structures across all three services, enhance coordination, and ensure efficient decision-making within Pakistan’s armed forces.
