The National Assembly (NA) on Monday passed two landmark bills, one raising the tenure of chiefs of armed forces and the other that increased the number of Supreme Court judges.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif tabled the bill aimed at raising the tenure of Chief of the Army Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Chief of the Air Staff from three to five years.
In another bill presented by the Law Minister, Azam Nazeer Tarar said that the bill would increase the bench strength of the Supreme Court to 34 to cut down the case backlog.
“This amendment will bring the strength of judges of the Supreme Court to 34, and this will further clear up the case backlogs, and it would be able to form the constitutional benches after the implementation of the 26th amendment,” said Tarar.
Despite strong opposition protests, both bills were voted in shortly after Tarar’s presentation.
Moreover, Defense Minister Asif also presented amendments to ensure the extended tenures for military leadership.
These bills were introduced by supplementary agenda. Army Act Amendment Bill of 1952 declares that no retirement rule will be applicable for the appointment, re-appointment, or extension to Army Chief. The House, through a majority vote, further passed amendment to the Pakistan Air Force Act of 1953 and the Pakistan Navy Amendment Bill of 1961.
