ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Wednesday said the government is not considering making “major changes” to the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) 1952.
“Media publicity about the amendments to the Pakistan Army Act is unnecessary,” the defense minister asserted after a local daily reported that major changes would be made to the law.
“Government is not considering any major changes in the said Act. SCP in its judgment in CP 39/2019 called for revision of relevant provisions of PAA, which will be implemented in due course.”
Media hype over amendments in Pakistan Army Act is uncalled for. Government is not considering any major changes in the said Act. SCP had demanded review of relevant clauses of PAA in its judgement in CP 39/2019 which shall be complied with in due course.
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) November 16, 2022
In its report, Daily Dawn said the government “seems” to be considering amending the Army Act to empower the appointing authority, the prime minister, to “recommend any candidate by a simple notification”. can be maintained through, rather than having to go through a complicated, constitutional process.”
The report further stated that the report will be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases (CCLC) after approval by the Ministry of Defense last month after some changes. Later it will go before the Parliament for legislation.
The reports come as the army is set to see a change of command, with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa set to retire next month. The Army Chief is currently busy with farewell tours.
The main stakeholder in the ruling coalition, the Muslim League (N) has decided that the name of the senior most senior military officer will be appointed to the desired post in the list sent to the Prime Minister.
