ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has admitted government’s plan to amend the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) 1952, however, he denied that the government is considering making any “major changes” to the act.
Refuting the media reports regarding changes in the said act, he said media hype over amendments in Pakistan Army Act is uncalled for.
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
“Media hype over amendments to the Pakistan Army Act is uncalled for,” the defense minister stressed after a local daily reported that major changes would be made to the law.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan had demanded a review of relevant clauses of PAA in its judgment in CP 39/2019 which shall be complied with in due course, he said in a tweet.
In its report, Daily Dawn said the government “seems” to be considering amending the army act so that the prime minister, who serves as the hiring authority, would be able to retain “any candidate through a simple notification, rather than having to go through a complex, constitutional process.”
According to the report, after some revisions and approval from the Ministry of Defense last month, the report will be presented to the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC). The parliament will then consider it for legislation.
The reports come as the army is all set to see a change of command, with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa all set to retire next month. The army chief is busy conducting farewell visits nowadays.
