Overview
- Parliament approved the Defence Forces Act 2026 and amendments to the National Command Authority Act in votes taken on Thursday, completing rapid legislative steps that formalise changes made by the 27th Constitutional Amendment.
- The Defence Forces Act establishes a Defence Forces Headquarters and gives the Chief of Defence Forces—an office held concurrently by the army chief—statutory powers over joint operations, personnel decisions and rule‑making for tri‑service matters.
- Amendments to the National Command Authority Act align Pakistan’s strategic and nuclear command architecture with the new hierarchy by replacing references to the abolished Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and adding the Commander National Strategic Command.
- Both bills include clauses that give the statutes retrospective effect to November 2025 and state that the new law prevails over conflicting provisions in existing service laws, a move that raises legal and administrative questions for implementation.
- The fast‑track passage prompted opposition walkouts and objections about limited scrutiny, and the measures now await final enactment steps, drafting of implementing rules and presidential formalities that will determine how the new powers affect personnel, service institutions and nuclear‑command practice.