PTBP Web Desk
The Senate of Pakistan on Friday approved bills concerning the three armed forces and a bill related to the Supreme Court, marking a key step in aligning national laws with the recently enacted 27th Constitutional Amendment. The approvals came a day after the federal cabinet and the National Assembly cleared the bills, reflecting swift legislative action to integrate the amendments into Pakistan’s legal framework.
The bills were passed through clause-by-clause voting in the Upper House, underscoring a detailed examination process by senators before final approval. In total, the Lower House had cleared five significant bills on Thursday, including:
- Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2025
- Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill, 2025
- Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2025
- Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Amendment Bill, 2025
All these bills were approved without referral to the relevant standing committees for further deliberation, highlighting the government’s urgency to align the laws with the new constitutional structure.
The recent legislative activity is part of the government’s broader strategy to integrate key laws with the 27th Constitutional Amendment Pakistan, which establishes the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) under Article 175B of the Constitution. The constitutional amendment has necessitated changes to existing laws governing the armed forces and the Supreme Court to ensure consistency with the new framework.
In a statement explaining the objectives, the government emphasized that these amendments are essential to facilitate the establishment of the Federal Constitutional Court and to regulate its procedural and administrative functioning. The bills collectively aim to harmonize military laws and judicial procedures with the newly enacted constitutional provisions.
During the Senate proceedings, opposition members, particularly from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), were largely absent, signaling their protest against the government’s legislative pace. Meanwhile, members of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) (JUI-F) staged vocal demonstrations against the bills, voicing concerns about the centralization of power and potential implications for oversight of the armed forces.
Despite these protests, the bills secured majority votes, allowing the legislation to pass smoothly and bring Pakistan’s laws into conformity with the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar elaborated on the amendments during the National Assembly session on Thursday. One of the most significant changes relates to the tenure of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). The amendments stipulate that the CDF will hold office for five years from the date of appointment, effectively resetting the tenure of COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir upon his elevation to the CDF position.
Similar adjustments were made to the Air Force and Navy statutes, ensuring that senior leadership tenures are synchronized with the new constitutional framework. These changes are aimed at strengthening governance and maintaining consistency between the armed forces’ regulations and the new Federal Constitutional Court structure.
The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Amendment Bill, 2025 was also passed to ensure judicial operations align with the FCC’s establishment. These amendments set out procedures for cases, clarify jurisdictional matters, and aim to streamline the interaction between the Federal Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court. The legislation is intended to safeguard judicial independence while enhancing operational efficiency.
The approval of these bills represents a major step in Pakistan’s constitutional and legislative evolution, as it aligns the country’s military and judicial laws with the 27th Amendment framework. Experts note that the synchronization of military tenure rules and judicial procedures with the constitutional amendment is crucial for maintaining the balance of power between the executive, legislature, judiciary, and the armed forces.
The Federal Constitutional Court Pakistan is now poised to function within a fully consistent legal environment, ensuring that its establishment, powers, and procedures are recognized across all statutory frameworks.
With these bills approved, the next focus for the government will be implementation and monitoring. The armed forces and judiciary must adjust their internal procedures to comply with the amended laws. Additionally, these legislative steps set the stage for future reforms, ensuring that Pakistan’s constitutional architecture remains resilient and adaptable to evolving governance needs.
