Pakistan’s National Assembly has passed two significant bills designed to formalise sweeping changes in the country’s military and nuclear command structures.

These legislative measures follow last year’s 27th constitutional amendment, which introduced the office of Chief of Defence Forces by abolishing the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.

The position of Chief of Defence Forces is currently held by Field Marshal Asim Munir, who also serves as Chief of Army Staff.

The new bills aim to streamline the military hierarchy and integrate strategic forces under a centralised framework. One of the bills also provides for the establishment of a Defence Forces Headquarters, which will serve as the unified headquarters of the Armed Forces.

The Chief of Defence Forces will act as the principal military advisor to the prime minister on national security, defence, and all matters relating to the armed forces.

The legislation also introduced the post of Commander of the National Strategic Command, a four-star office overseeing the operational integration of Pakistan’s strategic forces. General Syed Aamer Raza, promoted last month from lieutenant general, has been appointed as the first Commander of the National Strategic Command. His appointment reflects the broader restructuring of Pakistan’s defence architecture.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif presented the bills in the National Assembly, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif present during the session. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office explained that the bills were prepared as a continuation of constitutional changes made under the 27th amendment.

The Defence Forces of Pakistan Act, 2026, aims to determine administrative matters regarding the office of the Chief of Defence Forces and the Defence Forces Headquarters. Amendments to the National Command Authority Act, 2010, were described as a necessary process following the constitutional changes.

According to drafts seen by the Dawn newspaper, the Defence Forces Act is designed to give effect to the Chief of Defence Forces’ role as commander of the armed forces. It seeks to ensure multi-domain integration, restructuring, and optimum jointness of the armed forces.

The headquarters will be under the command of the Chief of Defence Forces, who will have operational command and control of the armed forces and will be responsible to the federal government for matters of command and control.

The draft outlines extensive powers for the Chief of Defence Forces. These include authority to retire, release, accept or reject resignations, discharge from service, retain in service, or relax age or service limits of retirement for those subject to armed forces law, though not for those appointed under Article 243.

The Chief of Defence Forces may also exercise other powers and perform functions as prescribed by the federal government. Both the government and the Chief of Defence Forces may issue instructions and amend rules and regulations to ensure the provisions of the act are implemented.

The draft further provides that if any difficulty or inconsistency arises, the president may issue an order to remove such difficulty.

The bills must now be passed by the Senate before being sent to the president for approval to become law.

This legislative process marks a decisive step in consolidating military authority under Asim Munir, giving him sweeping control over Pakistan’s armed forces and strategic command structures.

PTI