The Senate on Friday approved a wide-ranging set of defence and judicial reform bills, including major amendments to the Pakistan Army Act, Pakistan Air Force Act, and Pakistan Navy Ordinance. The legislation was passed by majority vote after a heated session that saw strong objections from the opposition.

Leader of the House Ishaq Dar opened the agenda by presenting the Pakistan Army Act Amendment Bill 2025. While opposition members attempted to refer the bill to committee, the motion was rejected and the bill was approved. Dar insisted that the changes were necessary following the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment.

The Senate also cleared the Pakistan Air Force Amendment Bill 2025, which was again presented by Ishaq Dar. Further modifications to the Pakistan Navy Ordinance 1961 were approved shortly after, introduced by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif as part of a coordinated update to military legislation.

In addition to defence sector reforms, lawmakers passed the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Amendment Bill 2025. Federal Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, who tabled the bill, said the updated provisions would streamline judicial procedures at the highest level.

The Upper House also saw the presentation of the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority Bill 2025, expanding the legislative agenda beyond defence and judiciary toward food security and trade regulation.

The legislative activity closely followed the National Assembly’s approval of similar amendments a day earlier. The lower house had passed the Pakistan Army Act Amendment Bill, Pakistan Air Force Act 1953 amendment, and Pakistan Navy Act Amendment Bill 2025, all presented by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. A revision to the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act 2023 was also approved.

Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar clarified that the new bills passed in Parliament were separate from legislation aligned with the 27th Constitutional Amendment. He stressed that the latest amendments focus on administrative updates, including defining the chief of defence’s term as five years from the date of appointment.

Tarar added that changes introduced to the Air Force and Navy laws reflect modern operational and structural needs, while amendments relating to the newly established constitutional court were passed strictly in line with the Constitution.

The Senate’s approval of the defence and judicial reforms marks another major phase in the government’s post-amendment legislative agenda, signaling continued efforts to modernize Pakistan’s institutional and legal frameworks.