Pakistan President Zardari Signs Military Bills Reshapes Armed Forces

In a major legislative development, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has signed three key military amendment bills into law, following their passage in parliament this week. The bills – the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2025, Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill 2025, and Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2025 – mark a significant structural overhaul in the country’s armed forces hierarchy.

According to official notifications shared by the PPP on social media, the president gave assent on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, formalizing changes that will have wide-ranging implications for military leadership and operational command.

Key Changes in the Army Amendment Bill
The Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill introduces the most notable reform: the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) will concurrently serve as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for a five-year tenure. Field Marshal Munir’s tenure will restart from the date the new notification is issued.

Provisions under Article 243 for a Field Marshal will now apply to a General promoted to this dual role. The federal government can authorize the Vice Chief or Deputy Chief of Army Staff to exercise COAS powers under written orders issued on the CDF’s recommendation. Once the dual office notification is issued, the COAS’ tenure is considered to have recommenced from that date.

The CDF will now oversee multi-domain integration, restructuring, and jointness across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Additionally, the legislation abolishes the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), replacing it with the Commander of the National Strategic Command. The prime minister will appoint this commander from serving Army generals for a three-year term, extendable under national security considerations, with appointments being legally unchallengeable.

Air Force and Navy Reforms
The Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill removes sections of the 1953 PAF Act that previously allowed the Air Force chief to serve as CJCSC, deleting tenure, extension, and retirement provisions related to the position. Likewise, the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill deletes sections regarding the Naval Chief’s role as CJCSC, also eliminating references throughout the law.

Impact and Significance
These amendments mark a significant restructuring of Pakistan’s military command, consolidating leadership powers and creating a clearer chain of command. Analysts say the move strengthens joint operational capabilities and reflects a shift toward modernized, integrated defense planning.

The abolition of the CJCSC role and expansion of the CDF’s powers may also streamline decision-making in national security matters, potentially improving coordination between Pakistan’s armed services.

Experts note that while the reforms centralize authority, they also aim to increase accountability and efficiency across military operations, ensuring that the armed forces are better positioned to respond to complex security challenges in the region.

With President Zardari’s formal assent, Pakistan’s military hierarchy has entered a new era of structural transformation. The changes in the Army, Navy, and Air Force reflect a strategic move to enhance operational integration and redefine leadership roles at the highest levels, underscoring the government’s focus on modernizing the armed forces in a rapidly evolving security environment.