Senate to take up amendments to Army, Navy, Air Force laws today

The Senate is set for a crucial legislative session today, with multiple defence-related amendment bills and important government reports scheduled for approval.

Lawmakers are expected to endorse bills already passed by the National Assembly, making this one of the session’s most significant sittings.

The Senate session is scheduled for 10:30am, where Defence Minister Khawaja Asif will present several key defence bills for approval. These include the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2025, the Pakistan Air Force Amendment Bill 2025, and the Pakistan Navy Amendment Bill 2025.

All three amendment bills, passed by the National Assembly a day before, are expected to receive final approval from the Upper House.

The law minister will present the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Bill for approval. The minister for national food security is scheduled to present the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority Bill 2025.

The finance minister will submit the audit report of the auditor general of Pakistan for the year 2024–2025, providing lawmakers with an official review of federal expenditures.

A notice regarding the appointment of principal accounting officers in the private sector against the law will also be presented during the session, highlighting concerns over accountability and compliance.

Additionally, an attention notice on the performance and issues within Pakistan Postal Services is part of today’s agenda, reflecting growing concerns about service delivery and administrative challenges in the department.

A day ago, the National Assembly had passed major amendment bills related to the Pakistan Army, Air Force, and Navy, 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

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.

Toward the end of the session, the National Assembly also approved legislation pertaining to Article 234, completing the day’s extensive legislative agenda.