Senate approves legislation extending service chiefs’ tenure, raising judges’ number

ISLAMABAD: ISLAMABAD: Following the National Assembly’s footstep, the Senate on Monday approved amendments extending the tenure of the heads of Pakistan’s armed forces to five years and increasing the number of judges in the Supreme Court from 17 to 34, and in the Islamabad High Court from nine to 12. The opposition loudly protested, tearing up copies of the bills.

Presided over by Senator Irfan Siddiqui, the Senate session began after a delay of one hour and 30 minutes. Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the bill to increase the number of Supreme Court judges amidst opposition outcry.

The Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act amendment bill, already passed by the National Assembly, was presented in the Senate. A motion was also passed to introduce the Pakistan Army Act Amendment Bill, which was submitted by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif. The Senate approved amendments to the Army Act, along with bills amending the Pakistan Air Force and Navy Acts, all increasing service chiefs’ tenure from three to five years.

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar also introduced a bill to increase the number of judges in the Islamabad High Court, which the Senate approved.

In additional legislative activity, Senator Anusha Rahman introduced the Governance and Operations Amendment Bill 2024 concerning state-owned entities, which was referred to the relevant committee. Senator Saleem Mandviwala introduced a National Institute of Health Reorganization Amendment Bill, also forwarded to committee.

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri presented the Factories Amendment Bill, which the Senate approved despite Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar noting the absence of the relevant minister. The Criminal Laws Amendment Bill 2023 was postponed, with the law minister indicating a more comprehensive government bill on the matter was forthcoming. Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri also introduced the Guardians and Wards Amendment Bill 2024, which passed the Senate.

The presiding officer postponed the 2024 Human Smuggling Prevention Amendment Bill. The Pakistan Animal Council Bill 2023, introduced by Senator Kamran Murtaza, received unanimous approval. Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri’s resolution to address the rising number of motorcycle accidents was also unanimously adopted, as was a resolution on ensuring documentation for children without verified parentage.

The Senate session was then adjourned indefinitely.

Earlier, the National Assembly approved two bills — Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Amendment Ordinance 2024, and the Islamabad High Court Amendment Bill 2024 — raising the number judges in the apex court and the high court.

NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq Speaker chaired the session. As soon as the session kicked off, Law Minister Azam Tarar moved the bill seeking to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court and Islamabad High Court.