NA passes bills related to military, nuclear command structure as Bilawal objects, opposition walks out

Pakistan's National Assembly passed two significant bills related to the military and nuclear command structure on Thursday. The passage occurred during a session marked by a walkout from the opposition and objections from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), a key ally of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif presented the Defence Forces Act, 2010, and the amended National Command Authority Act, 2010. The opposition staged a walkout in protest, while PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari raised concerns about the lack of prior consultation before the bills were introduced. Notably, these bills were not originally listed on the National Assembly's agenda for the day.

Earlier in the day, the federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, had approved the two bills. Prime Minister Sharif was present in the National Assembly when the legislation was presented and approved, departing shortly afterward. A statement from the Prime Minister's Office indicated the bills were prepared as a continuation of previous adjustments to existing laws.