Acting President Yousuf Raza Gilani has formally approved six amendment bills, which were passed by both the National Assembly and Senate on Monday, concerning the term of services chiefs and number of Supreme Court judges.
With the acting president’s signature, these amendments have officially become law and are now in effect.
The newly approved amendments include the Army Act Amendment Bill 2024, Air Force Act Amendment Bill 2024, and Pakistan Navy Act Amendment Bill 2024. These three bills carry amendments related to the service chiefs' tenure, their extension period and retirement age limit.
Additionally, Acting President Gilani also signed off on the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Bill 2024, which outlines updated procedural guidelines for the Supreme Court, another amendment bill increasing the number of Supreme Court judges, and one more to expand the Islamabad High Court bench.
On Monday, the National Assembly and Senate approved the bills to extend the term of the services chiefs following the approval of the bill to increase the SC judges' seats amid opposition protests.
Also Read: Parliament passes bills to increase SC judges' seats, extend term of services chiefs
According to details, Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani had given assent to the six bills passed by the both houses of parliament to increase the number of judges and extend the tenure of the services’ chiefs.
The NA session, which was presided over by speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, saw a surge in tensions, resulting in a physical altercation between the members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the ruling party.
As debates escalated, scuffles broke out, with PTI members clashing with government officials, leading to a chaotic scene where Sergeant-at-Arms intervened.
Prominent politicians, including Federal Law Minister Atta Tarar and other members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had exchanged heated remarks with the opposition members, prompting security personnel to intervene multiple times.
The NA session was adjourned until 11 am following the scuffle.
