On Thursday, the Federal Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved the draft Defence Forces Act 2026 and amendments to the National Command Authority Act 2010. The same day, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif introduced both bills in the National Assembly, where they were passed clause-by-clause by majority vote under the chairmanship of NA Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. The opposition staged a walkout in protest against the proposed amendments. Both bills will now be presented to the Senate for final approval.
Purpose of the Legislation
According to the official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Defence Forces Act 2026 has been drafted as a continuation of changes introduced through the 27th Constitutional Amendment. Its core purpose is to determine:
- The legal and administrative framework for the office of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF)
- The structure, jurisdiction, and administrative responsibilities of the Chief of Defence Forces Headquarters
- A more coordinated mechanism for decision-making among the three armed services (Army, Navy, Air Force)
Under the approved amendments, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) will exercise the powers of the Chief of Defence Forces, while the CDF will also be vested with powers relating to the command and control of the armed forces. Additionally, the CDF will have the authority to advise the Prime Minister on matters concerning national security and the armed forces.
Amendments to the National Command Authority Act 2010 were described by the government as “necessary” following the 27th Constitutional Amendment, since the NCA is directly linked to Pakistan’s strategic command architecture.
Connection to the 27th Constitutional Amendment
The 27th Constitutional Amendment, passed by Parliament in November last year, brought major changes to Pakistan’s judicial and military structure. As a result:
- The office of Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee was abolished
- The new position of Chief of Defence Forces was created
- On December 5, 2025, President Asif Ali Zardari appointed Army Chief (now Field Marshal) Syed Asim Munir Ahmed Shah as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces, while he simultaneously retained the post of COAS — resetting his tenure to a new five-year term
The Defence Forces Act 2026 and the NCA amendment are essentially efforts to give full legal and administrative shape to these constitutional changes, providing a clear statutory basis for the new offices and institutions.
Analysis: Why This Legislation Matters
1. Centralization of Authority
The amendment moves the CDF’s role beyond a largely ceremonial title, granting it clear operational and advisory powers — including command-and-control authority and a direct advisory channel to the Prime Minister. This effectively formalizes the CDF Headquarters as a standing institution.
2. Civil-Military Relations
Critics and some analysts view this as a further consolidation of power in military leadership, particularly since one individual now simultaneously holds the posts of Army Chief and Chief of Defence Forces. The opposition’s walkout in the National Assembly is widely seen as reflecting these concerns.
3. Continuity in Strategic Command Structure
The NCA amendment aims to ensure Pakistan’s nuclear and strategic command structure remains aligned with the new military office, preventing institutional overlap or conflict.
4. Next Legislative Step
Both bills now await approval from the Senate. Once passed there and signed by the President, they will formally become law.
Key Points at a Glance
- Cabinet approved the Defence Forces Act 2026 and amendments to the NCA Act 2010
- National Assembly passed both bills by majority vote the same day
- Opposition staged a walkout in protest
- The law establishes a legal framework for the CDF office and CDF Headquarters
- The legislation is a follow-up to the 27th Constitutional Amendment
- Both bills now head to the Senate for final approval
