Pakistan change its military structure by promoting current (chief of staff) to (chief defence force) by 27th amendment in constitution

The government presented the much anticipated draft of the 27th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Senate on Saturday afternoon. The far-reaching legislative proposal, among other changes, rewrites Article 243 of the Constitution, creating the post of Chief of Defence Forces and abolishing the long-standing office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).

It also vests broader, constitutionally protected powers and privileges in the country’s top military leadership.

Article 243 governs the relationship between the prime minister (as head of the federal government) and the president (as the head of state) in relation to the control and command of the armed forces.

Key changes proposed to Article 243:

1 : Army chief to be recognised as Chief of Defence Forces, positioned at top of Pakistan’s armed services.

2 : Office of CJCSC to be abolished.

3 : Establishing a Commander of National Strategic Command position.

4 : President to appoint army, naval, air chiefs on advice of premier.

5 : Life-long constitutional protection to be provided to 5-star rank officers.

According to the draft tabled in the Senate today, the amendment would make the Chief of the Army Staff the constitutionally recognised Chief of the Defence Forces, effectively merging the army chief’s current authority with a new overarching title that places him at the top of Pakistan’s armed services.

It also proposes establishing a Commander of the National Strategic Command and defining extensive entitlements for officers elevated to the rare five-star ranks of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force or Admiral of the Fleet.

Under the new language, the president, acting on the prime minister’s advice, would appoint the army, naval and air chiefs, with the army chief serving “concurrently as Chief of the Defence Forces”.

The draft further provides that the Commander of the National Strategic Command, a position overseeing the country’s nuclear and strategic assets, would be appointed by the prime minister on the recommendation of the army chief, and must come from within the army.

A separate set of clauses grants life-long constitutional protection to officers promoted to five-star rank. Such officers would “retain the rank, privileges and remain in uniform for life”, removable only through the impeachment-like procedure under Article 47. Immunities similar to those enjoyed by the president under Article 248 would apply in this case.

Their post-command duties and remuneration would be determined by the federal government and the president on the prime minister’s advice.