In a significant legislative session, the Senate on Friday approved a series of major defence and judicial reform bills, including the Pakistan Army Act Amendment Bill 2025, following heated debate and opposition resistance.
Most bills were passed by majority vote as the Upper House moved swiftly through its agenda.
The session opened with Leader of the House Ishaq Dar presenting the Pakistan Army Act Amendment Bill 2025. While the opposition objected, Dar emphasized that the amendments were essential in light of the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
Senator Kamran Murtaza proposed to send the bill to the committee concerned. However, the suggestion was rejected and the bill approved.
Air Force, Navy amendments also cleared
The Senate also approved the Pakistan Air Force Amendment Bill 2025, which was presented by Senator Ishaq Dar. The bill received majority support and forms part of the coordinated defence legislation package.
Further amendments to the Pakistan Navy Ordinance 1961 were also passed. These amendments were presented by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, continuing the overhaul and alignment of military laws with the latest constitutional changes.
In addition to defence reforms, the Senate approved the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Bill 2025. The bill was presented by Federal Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, who highlighted its role in improving judicial processes at the highest level.
The session also included the presentation of the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority Bill 2025, expanding the legislative agenda into agriculture, trade regulation, and food safety oversight.
On Thursday, the National Assembly had passed the Pakistan Army, Air Force, and Navy amendment bills, alongside changes to the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act.
The session saw active participation from government benches as ministers presented a series of legislative updates not linked to the recently approved 27th Constitutional Amendment.
The National Assembly approved the Pakistan Army Act Amendment Bill, the Pakistan Air Force Act 1953 amendment, and the Pakistan Navy Act Amendment Bill 2025. All three bills were presented by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.
Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar presented the updated Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023 amendment bill, which was subsequently passed.
Tarar clarified that the new set of bills passed during the session did not amend the laws related to the 27th Constitutional Amendment, differentiating them from the constitutional alignment legislation approved earlier by the federal cabinet.
Asif tables further updates to armed forces laws
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also introduced a bill to further amend the Pakistan Army Act 1952, followed by another bill amending the Pakistan Air Force Act 1953. The amendment bill for the Pakistan Navy Act was also formally presented.
These bills were tabled for approval as part of ongoing efforts to update and harmonize defence legislation.
Speaking on the changes, Law Minister Tarar said the updated law clearly defines the chief of defense’s term as five years from the date of appointment.
He added that certain revisions have also been made to the Air Force and Navy laws to reflect modern administrative requirements.
Tarar further stated that amendments related to appointments in the newly proposed court have been approved in accordance with the Constitution, and that the first appointment will be that of the chief justice.
