Government Proposes Extension of Service Terms for Chiefs and Doubling of Supreme Court Judges
Islamabad: In a recent federal cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, key legislative changes were approved, including the extension of service terms for all chiefs of the armed forces from three to five years and a proposal to double the number of Supreme Court judges.
According to cabinet insiders, the government has decided to present a bill in the National Assembly today, which seeks to amend the Army Act, thereby extending the service term of the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, to five years. This amendment is expected to ensure continuity and stability in military leadership.
Additionally, the proposed legislation includes an increase in the number of Supreme Court judges from 17 to 34, comprising 33 judges and one Chief Justice. This move, aimed at enhancing the judiciary’s capacity, is part of a broader effort to address the backlog of cases and improve the efficiency of the judicial system.
A member of the cabinet, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the bills will be tabled in the parliamentary session later today. The cabinet also discussed amendments to the Practice and Procedure Act, which oversees judicial appointments, suggesting the replacement of the third senior-most judge with the head of a constitutional bench in the committee.
In light of these legislative priorities, several other agenda items were postponed, with the cabinet scheduled to reconvene in two days for further deliberation. Following the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with the parliamentary parties of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) in the Senate and National Assembly, urging all members to ensure their attendance for the session.
The ruling party, according to sources, has been in consultation over these amendments, particularly the proposal to extend the service terms of the armed forces chiefs. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, a senior party official, confirmed that coalition partners will be taken into confidence on the Army Act amendment bill.
In a related development, the government is also advancing efforts to increase the number of Supreme Court judges to 34, though some sources suggest a revised proposal for 25 judges might be introduced. The Judicial Commission will oversee the appointments once the bill is passed, a step expected to be finalized in today’s National Assembly session, which is anticipated to include critical legislative proceedings.
