President Zardari Signs Pakistan Army, Air Force and Navy Amendment Bills 2025 Into Law marks a defining moment in Pakistan’s military restructuring. President Zardari Signs Pakistan Army, Air Force and Navy Amendment Bills 2025 Into Law came after President Asif Ali Zardari gave formal approval on Saturday to three major amendment bills passed by parliament: the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Pakistan Peoples Party shared the notifications on X confirming the presidential assent.
The bills, tabled by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, were cleared by both houses of parliament this week, signalling a structural shift in command, coordination and strategic oversight across the armed forces.
Under the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, the Chief of Army Staff will now simultaneously serve as Chief of the Defence Forces for a five year term. Field Marshal Asim Munir’s tenure will restart from the date a fresh notification is issued. The bill also extends Article 243 provisions to any General elevated to the rank of Field Marshal. It allows the federal government to delegate the COAS powers to the Vice Chief or Deputy Chief of Army Staff through written orders issued on the CDF’s recommendation.
The legislation further specifies that once the first notification for the dual office is issued, the COAS’ tenure will automatically recommence from that date. It empowers the federal government to define the CDF’s duties, including multi domain integration, restructuring and enhancing jointness among the armed forces.
One of the most far reaching reforms is the abolition of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. It will be replaced by a new office titled Commander of the National Strategic Command. The prime minister may appoint a serving Pakistan Army general to the position for three years on the COAS or CDF’s recommendation. The PM will set the terms and may grant a three year extension in the interest of national security. The bill states that such appointments, reappointments or extensions cannot be challenged in any court.
The Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill 2025 removes sections 10D, 10E and 10F of the PAF Act 1953, which previously governed the appointment and tenure of the PAF chief as CJCSC. All mentions of the CJCSC have been deleted. Likewise, the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2025 removes sections 14D, 14E and 14F concerning the Naval Chief’s role as CJCSC, eliminating the designation from the Act entirely.
These amendments reshape Pakistan’s defence structure, aligning military leadership under a redefined chain of command designed for modern strategic and multi domain challenges.