Senate approves Services Acts Amendment Bills 2020 with a majority

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Senate approved Services Acts Amendment Bills 2020 with a majority on Wednesday. Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani presided over the session. Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak presented the report. The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), the Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Party staged a protest against the bills. On Tuesday, the Senate Standing Committee on Defence had unanimously approved the bills regarding the tenure of the services chiefs — chief of army staff, chief of air staff and chief of naval staff and the chairman of the joint chief of staff committee. Earlier, the National Assembly approved Services Acts Amendment Bills with a majority. After the approval of the bills. Prime Minister Imran Khan was also present in the session. However, the MNAs belonging to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) staged a walkout. The PPP withdrew its suggestions in the Services Acts Amendment bills. Defence Minister Pervaiz Khattak presented the bills. Now the three bills will be presented in the Senate for approval. Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan presided over a meeting of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and allies to devise a strategy for legislation pertaining to armed forces. On Monday, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence had approved the Services Acts Amendment bills pertaining to the three armed forces. Talking to the media after the meeting, NA Standing Committee on Defence Chairman Amjad Khan Niazi said that they are thankful to all parties for approving the amendment laws. “We listened to the amendments presented by the opposition. The draft is not part of the law. In the current situation, we gave the message that we are one where there is the national interest,” he said.