Service chiefs’ tenure extension will delay officers’ promotions: Omar Ayub

ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, criticized the government for “bulldozing bills through Parliament” and denying the opposition a chance for debate.

Talking to the media alongside PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan outside Parliament, Omar Ayub voiced concerns over the latest amendments to the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, and their impact on military promotions.

“These amendments will hinder the career progression of many officers. Graduates from the Pakistan Military Academy at Kakul aspire to earn three-star ranks, but with extended service terms for chiefs, their promotions now hang in the balance,” he said.

The latest amendments to the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, seek a fixed five-year tenure for all service chiefs to five years, aiming to bring uniformity to the leadership terms across the military branches.

According to the statement of objects and reasons for the amendments, “The purpose of these amendments is to make consistent the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 … The Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961 … and The Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 … with the maximum tenure of the Chief of the Army Staff, the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff and to make consequential amendments for uniformity in the aforementioned laws.”

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said, “Today, democracy has been turned into a monarchy. The laws passed today are clear examples of authoritarian rule. Once again, the government hastily pushed through legislation without following proper procedures. The National Assembly session was delayed by two to three hours, and except for the law minister, no one seemed aware of which laws were presented and passed.”

Talking about the amendments regarding the judiciary, Barrister Gohar highlighted the backlog of approximately 65,000 pending cases. “This is not about increasing the number of judges; it’s about appointing judges of their own choice. They are weakening one of the state’s pillars and seeking favorable decisions from the judiciary.”