Timely speaking, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar gave an interview having told him that the term of the CDF would extend to five years after he had been appointed to the office of the Defence Minister.
Through the cabinet, the National Assembly approved the amendments on the Army, Navy and Air Force Acts during the session.
According to the bill, the Chief of the Army Staff who will also serve as the Chief of the Defence Forces under Article 243 of the Constitution will serve a period that will begin on the date of the notification of the said office.
It implies that when the notification of the first appointment of the Chief of the Defence Forces is issued, the remaining time of the serving COAS will resume on the same date.
The bill, which will specify the functions, roles and duties of the COAS and CDF, will, among other things, cover the position of both the COAS and CDF with regard to multi-domain integration, restructuring and the provision of the best available jointness within the Armed Forces.
The same amendment will also allow appointment of the Commander of the National Strategic Command by the prime minister who will subsequently be serving Generals in the Pakistan Army to a term of three years, according to the recommendation of the COAS or CDF.
The prime minister will also have the authority to define terms and conditions of service of the Commander. The current General can be extended to three years at the behest of the prime minister in the national security interest or exigencies at any given time.
Also, the bill provides that no appointment, reappointment or extension of the Commander of the National Strategic Command shall be subject to appeal before any court on any grounds.
