Parliament passes bill to extend tenure of services chiefs up to 5 years

Pakistan's Senate has passed a bill extending the tenure of services chiefs to up to five years, following approval from the National Assembly. 

The bill, presented by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, aims to harmonize the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961, and Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953, with the maximum tenure of services chiefs.

“The purpose of these amendments are 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,” stated the bill.

Additionally, the bill proposes amendments to Section 8C, dealing with retirement age and service limits of service chiefs.

The proposed amendment states that the retirement age and service limits prescribed for a General shall not be applicable to the Chief of the Army Staff during their tenure, reappointment, or extension.

Similarly, the bill aims to increase the length of time the service chief can be reappointed or have their tenure extended to five years, amending the Section 8B of the act.

“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,” it stated.