The federal cabinet has approved the draft of the Defence Forces Act 2026. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. The draft will now be presented before parliament for approval.
The draft was prepared after the 27th Constitutional Amendment. It deals with administrative matters of the office of the Chief of Defence Forces. It also covers the working of the Chief of Defence Forces Headquarters.
Command authority changes
The cabinet also approved amendments to the National Command Authority Act 2010. Officials said the changes were needed after the 27th Amendment. The amended draft will also go to parliament.
Army Chief Asim Munir has been appointed as the Chief of Defence Forces. He now holds operational command over the army, navy and air force, according to reports. His tenure has also been extended under the new framework. Supporters of the move say it brings Pakistan in line with modern military structures. Critics want a full debate before final approval. A parliamentary committee may review the draft first. The final vote is expected in the coming session.
Government’s position
Officials said the new law will improve coordination between the armed forces. They said a unified command structure was needed for modern defence needs. The government called it an important step for national security.
Opposition members have raised questions about the concentration of powers, according to reports. They say parliament must debate the draft in detail. The government says all steps were taken within the Constitution. It says parliament will get full time to review the draft.
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