The National Assembly approved on Monday a bill to extend the tenure of the three service chiefs from three years to five years, amid the opposition’s protest that prompted seargent at arms in action to avoid any scuffle.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who moved the bill, presented the amendment bill seeking amendment to laws related to the tenure of service of heads of army, navy, and air force.

These bills were introduced during a National Assembly session through a supplementary agenda.

The Army Act Amendment Bill of 1952 specifies that the retirement rules applicable to generals in the Pakistan Army will not affect the army chief, allowing them to continue serving in their capacity even upon reappointment or extension.

In addition to this, the National Assembly also approved the Pakistan Air Force Act of 1953 and the Pakistan Navy Amendment Bill of 1961 by a majority vote. These legislative changes reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring stability within the military leadership.

“The purpose of these amendments is 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,” according to the statement of objects and reasons.

The proposed bill to amend the Army Act, the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 2024, aims to extend the tenure of the chief of army staff from three to five years.

“In the said Act, in section 8A, in sub-section (1), for the expression ‘three (03)’ the word ‘five (05)’ shall be substituted,” the bill said.

Sub-section 1 of Section 8A says “The President shall, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint a General as the Chief of the Army Staff, for a tenure of three (03) years.”

Moreover, the bill intended to increase the length of time the service chief can be reappointed or have their tenure extended to five years, instead of three as outlined in Section 8B.

“The President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, may reappoint the Chief of the Army Staff for additional tenure of three (03) years, or extend the tenure(s) of the Chief of the Army Staff up to three (03) years, on such terms and conditions, as may be determined by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister, in the national security interest or exigencies, from time to time,” Section 8B of the Army Act said.

“In the said Act, in section 8B, in sub-section (1)- 10 for the expression ‘three (03)’, occurring twice, the expression ‘five (05)’ shall be substituted,” the 2024 bill read.

An amendment was also proposed to Section 8C, which deals with the retirement age and service limits of service chiefs.

Section 8C states, “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, or extension, subject to a maximum age of sixty-four (64) years. Throughout such tenure, the Chief of the Army Staff shall continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army.”

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The amendment bill has made a substitution to Section 8C, removing the 64-year age limit.

The amended act as follows: “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.”

If the president signs the amendment bills, the changes will affect the tenures of all currently serving chiefs of the armed forces.