The National Assembly today (Tuesday) passed three bills pertaining to the tenure and terms and condition of the service of the chiefs of armed forces.

The bills are: Pakistan Army (Amendment) bill, 2020, Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) bill, 2020 and Pakistan Navy (Amendment) bill, 2020.

These were moved by Minister for Defense Pervez Khattak.

According to the statement of objects and reasons of the three bills, the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, can specify tenure and terms and conditions of the service of the services chiefs and the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Committee. This includes the grant of extension and re-appointments of the services chiefs.

The bills state that the President shall, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint the services chiefs and the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee for tenure of three years.

The services chiefs and the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee may be reappointed for additional tenure of three years or their tenures can be extended up to three years.

According to the bills, the appointment, reappointment or extension of the army, air force or naval chiefs, or the exercise of discretion by the appointing authority in this regard, shall not be called into question before any court on any ground whatsoever.

The house has been adjourned to meet again tomorrow at four pm.

Zahid/Ghauri