Pakistan Parliament passed 21st Constitutional Amendment, Army Act Amendment Bills

Pakistan Parliament on 6 January 2014 passed the 21st Constitution Amendment Bill 2015 and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2015. Clearance of these two bills has cleared the way for establishment of military courts in the country.

The two bills will now be sent to the President for his assent.

The two Amendments were unanimously passed in both the houses National Assembly (Lower House) and Senate (Upper House).

Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed in the Lower House with 237 votes without any opposition, whereas, the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill was passed unanimously.  Both the bills were unanimously adopted in the Upper House, as none of the lawmakers voted against them.

For secure passage, the constitution amendment bill required a two-third majority in the 342-seat National Assembly and 104-seat Senate. On the other hand, the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill for passage needed a simple majority in both the Houses.

21st Constitution Amendment Bill 2015
It states that the provisions of Article 175 of the Constitution will have no application in cases of trial of persons under the Pakistan Army Act 1952, the Pakistan Army Act 1953, the Pakistan Navy Act 1961 and the Protection of Pakistan Act 2014.

Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2015
It amends Pakistan Army Act 1952 and adds a new sub-section (4), which will have the power to transfer any proceedings in any court in respect of any person accused of falling under any offence in jurisdiction of the Pakistan Army Act to a special court.