Pakistan’s government on Saturday introduced the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament, proposing the creation of a new post — Chief of Defence Forces — aimed at ensuring greater coordination and unified command among the three military services.

The amendment seeks to revise Article 243 of the Constitution, which governs the armed forces. Under the proposed changes, the President will appoint both the Army Chief and the Chief of Defence Forces on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Army Chief, who will also hold the position of Chief of Defence Forces, will appoint the head of the National Strategic Command in consultation with the Prime Minister. The Command’s head will be drawn from the Pakistan Army.

The bill also empowers the government to promote officers to the honorary lifetime ranks of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet. The post of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, is set to lapse on November 27, 2025.

According to local media reports, the move follows lessons from the four-day conflict with India in May, triggered by Operation Sindoor — India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The clashes ended after Indian strikes reportedly destroyed several Pakistani aircraft, including U.S.-origin F-16s, forcing Islamabad to seek a ceasefire. Subsequently, Army Chief General Asim Munir was elevated to the rank of Field Marshal — only the second in Pakistan’s history.

Besides defence reforms, the amendment bill proposes establishing a Federal Constitutional Court, revising the process of appointing high court judges, and altering provincial cabinet thresholds.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar tabled the bill in the Senate, which Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani referred to the Standing Committees on Law and Justice for review. Opposition leaders, however, objected to the haste, saying the draft had been shared only hours earlier.

Pakistan’s government on Saturday introduced the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament, proposing the creation of a new post — Chief of Defence Forces — aimed at ensuring greater coordination and unified command among the three military services.

The amendment seeks to revise Article 243 of the Constitution, which governs the armed forces. Under the proposed changes, the President will appoint both the Army Chief and the Chief of Defence Forces on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Army Chief, who will also hold the position of Chief of Defence Forces, will appoint the head of the National Strategic Command in consultation with the Prime Minister. The Command’s head will be drawn from the Pakistan Army.

The bill also empowers the government to promote officers to the honorary lifetime ranks of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet. The post of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, is set to lapse on November 27, 2025.

According to local media reports, the move follows lessons from the four-day conflict with India in May, triggered by Operation Sindoor — India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The clashes ended after Indian strikes reportedly destroyed several Pakistani aircraft, including U.S.-origin F-16s, forcing Islamabad to seek a ceasefire. Subsequently, Army Chief General Asim Munir was elevated to the rank of Field Marshal — only the second in Pakistan’s history.

Besides defence reforms, the amendment bill proposes establishing a Federal Constitutional Court, revising the process of appointing high court judges, and altering provincial cabinet thresholds.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar tabled the bill in the Senate, which Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani referred to the Standing Committees on Law and Justice for review. Opposition leaders, however, objected to the haste, saying the draft had been shared only hours earlier.