ISLAMABAD: The federal government of Pakistan is set to extend the tenure of the three service chiefs from three years to five years, a private news channel reported, with both houses of Parliament meeting on Monday (today) to consider an “important bill”.
The tenure of the chiefs of the army, air force and navy will be extended to five years instead of the current three.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz sources said that the bill to extend the tenure of the three-armed forces chiefs will be presented after consultation with the Pakistan People’s Party.
It should be noted that the People’s Party needs to be consulted on this issue, and it is expected that the bill will be presented today. But there are expectations that it may be postponed for further consultations.
Additionally, there is a “strong possibility” that the Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill and the bill to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 34 will be passed today.
In January 2020, when former Prime Minister Imran Khan was in power, the Senate approved a law allowing the government to extend the tenure of the country’s army chief. It set a higher retirement age for Pakistan’s army, navy and air force chiefs, allowing the prime minister to extend their terms at his discretion.
Despite objections from some parties and rights activists, it was seen as a move that could further tighten the military’s grip on power in the South Asian country.
The decision was taken when Khan approved the extension of the then Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure by another three years.
On March 17, 2024, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended the tenure of Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu by one year.
The sessions of the National Assembly and the Senate were scheduled to begin at 4 pm and 6 pm respectively. But according to updates as of 6:24 p.m., they have not started despite the delay.
The seven-point agenda for the National Assembly session includes “important” legislation.
Among the items presented are the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Amendment Ordinance as well as a note of concern regarding Pakistan’s 129th ranking in the Rule of Law Index.
A motion to express gratitude for President Asif Ali Zardari’s address from the joint meeting is part of the agenda. Moreover, it includes Alia Kamran’s note of concern regarding the grounding of the PIA plane, as well as a question-and-answer session and points of order.
The government intends to introduce legislation in both the National Assembly and the Senate, directing government members to ensure their presence in the House.
According to the sources, approval of the Anti-Terrorism Amendment Bill is expected during the meeting.
