Federal · Act · 1952

Pakistan Army Act, 1952

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THE PAKISTAN ARMY ACT, 1952

CHAPTER XVI [Omitted]

THE SCHEDULE [Omitted]

CHAPTER I.__ PRELIMINARY

Section 1. Short title and commencement

(1) This Act may be called the Pakistan Army Act,

1952.

(2) It shall come into force on such date2 as the 3[Federal Government] may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf.

[4] Section 1A. Raising and maintaining the Army

(1) Subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President shall raise and maintain the Pakistan Army and its reserves in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the rules, regulations and instructions made and issued, thereunder.

(2) Subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan the control and command of the Army shall rest with the Federal Government and its administration shall vest in the 5[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces].

(3) Subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President shall grant commission in the Pakistan Army in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules, regulations and instructions made and issued thereunder.

(4) Personnel of the Pakistan Army shall consist of such officers, soldiers and other staff members as may be prescribed.

1For Statement of Object and Reasons, see Gaz. of P., (1951 Pt. V, dated the 23rd November 1951, P. 71; and for Report of Select Committee, see ibid.

1952. Ext., pp. 347-400. The Act has been extended to Khairpur State, by the Khairpur (Federal Laws) Extension) Order, 1953 (G.G.O. 5 of 1953). It has been extended to the Baluchistan States Union by the Baluchistan States Union (Federal Laws) (Extension) Order, 1953 (G.G.O. 4 of 1953), as amended. The Act has been and shall be deemed always to have been applied to Baluchistan and the Federated Areas of Baluchistan with effect from the 1st April, 1955, see Gaz. of P., 1955, see Gaz. of P., 1955. Pt. I p. 204. The Act has been extended to the whole of Pakistan by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3, and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th October, 1955). The Act has been and shall be deemed to have been brought into force in Gwadur with effect from the 8th September, 1958, by the Gwadur (Application of Central Laws) Ordinance, 1960 (37 of 1960), s. 2. The Act, rules, notifins, and orders made under it, have been applied to the Tribal Areas or to the part of those areas to which they have not been already applied, see the Tribal Areas (Application of Acts) Reason 1965. Gaz. of P. 1965., Ext., pp 1016-1018. The Provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder have been applied in their application to non-commissioned officer and men of the Pakistan Mujahid

Force. When embodied for or otherwise undergoing training with certain modification specified in Sch. II to rule 12 of the Pakistan Mujahid Force Rules, 1965, see Gaz. of P., 1965, Ext., pp. 1105-1107. 2The 1st day of April, 1955, see Gaz. of P., 1955, Ext. p. 389.

3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

4 Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.2.

5Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s. 2.

Section 2. Persons subject to the Act

(1) The following persons shall be subject to this Act, namely :__ 1[(a) officers, soldiers and others of the Pakistan Army;] 2[(b) persons enrolled under the Indian Army Act, 1911, before the date notified in pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 1, and serving with the Pakistan Army immediately before that date, and persons enrolled under this Act;] 3[(bb) persons subject to the 4[Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961], or the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953, when seconded for service with the Pakistan Army, to such extent and subject to such regulations as the 5[Federal Government] may direct;]

(c) persons not otherwise subject to this Act, who, on active service, in camp, on the march, or at any frontier post specified by the 5[Federal Government] by notification in this behalf, are employed by, or are in the service of or are followers of, or accompany any portion of the Pakistan Army 6[;] 6[(d) persons not otherwise subject to this Act who are accused of__

(i) seducing or attempting to seduce any person subject to this Act from his duty or allegiance to Government, or

(ii) having committed, in relation to any work of defence, arsenal, naval, military or air force establishment or station, ship or aircraft or otherwise in relation to the naval, military or air force affairs of Pakistan, an offence under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 7[;] 7[(e) persons not otherwise subject to this Act who belonged to the former East Pakistan Civil Armed Forces and were repatriated to Pakistan after the sixteenth day of December, 1971.]

(2) Every person subject to this Act under clause (a) or clause (b) 7[or clause (e)] of sub- section (1) shall remain so subject until duly retired, released, discharged, removed or dismissed from the service. 8[(3) Every person subject to this Act under clause (bb) of sub-section (1) shall remain so subject during the period of his secondment to the Pakistan Army.]

1Subs. by Act LXII of 2023, s.3.

2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 2, for the original clause (b) (with effect from the 1st April, 1952).

3Clause (bb) ins. by ibid.

4Subs. by the Repealing and Amending Ordinance, 1965 (10 of 1965), s. 3, and 2nd Sch., for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934 (XXXIV of 1934)”.

5Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

6Subs. and added by the Defence Services Laws Amendment Ordinance, 1967 (3 of 1967), s. 2.

7Subs., added and ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt) Act, 1975 (73 of 1975) s. 2. 8New sub-section (3) added by the Pakistan Army (amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 2 (with effect from the 1st April, 1952).

[1] Section 2A. Secondment to Navy or Air Force

The 2[Federal Government] may by order in writing direct that any person 3[* * *] 4[referred to in clause (a), clause (b) or clause (c)] of sub-section

(1) of section 2 shall, under such conditions as may be laid down by regulations, be seconded for service with the Pakistan Navy or the Pakistan Air Force.]

[5] Section 2B. Secondment to other armed forces

The Federal Government may by order in writing direct that any person referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 2, other than a junior commissioned officer or warrant officer, shall, under such conditions as may be laid down by regulations, be seconded for service with any other armed forces raised or maintained by the Federal Government, including civil armed forces.]

[6] Section 2C. Protection to Witnesses, President, Members of the Court, Defending Officers, Prosecutors and persons concerned with court proceedings

The convening authority or the court constituted under this Act may, make such orders or take such measures, like sitting in camera, not publishing the names of court officials etc., as it deems fit, within available resources, for the protection of witnesses, President, members, prosecutors, defending officers and other persons concerned in court proceeding for an offence under this Act, as may be prescribed.]

Section 3. Special provision as to rank in certain cases

(1) The 2[Federal Government] may, by notification, direct that any person or class of persons subject to this Act under clause (c) 7[or clause (d)] of sub-section (1) of section 2 shall be so subject as officers, junior commissioned officers, warrant officers or non-commissioned officers, and may authorise any officer to give a like direction with respect to any such person or to cancel such direction.

(2) All persons subject to this Act other than officers, junior commissioned officers, warrant officers or non-commissioned officers shall, if they are not persons in respect of whom a notification or direction under sub-section (1) is in force, be deemed to be of a rank inferior to that of a non-commissioned officer.

Section 4. Commanding officer of certain persons subject to the Act

Every person subject to the Act under clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 2 shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be under the command of the commanding officer of the corps, unit or detachment (if any) to which he is attached, and if he is not so attached, then he shall be under the command of any officer who may for the time being be named as his commanding officer by the officer commanding the force with which such person may for the time being be serving, or if no such officer is named, under the command of the said officer commanding the force:

Provided that an officer commanding a force shall not place a person under the command of an officer of rank inferior to that of such person, if there is present at the place where such person is any officer of a higher rank under whose command he can be placed.

1Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 3.

2Subs. by the Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

3The words “belonging to the Army Medical Corps and” omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1959 (61 of 1959), s. 2 (with effect from the 1st April, 1955).

4Subs. by the Defence Service laws (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1967 (3 of 1967),s.2 for “subject to this Act otherwise the under clause (abb)”.

5Ins. by Act 73 of 1975, s. 3.

6Ins. and added by Act XIX of 2015, s. 2.

7Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 2

Section 5. Powers to apply Act to certain forces under the 1[Federal Government]

(1) The 1[Federal Government] may, by notification, apply all or any provisions of this Act to any force raised and maintained in Pakistan under the authority of the 1[Federal Government 2[or a Provincial Government]].

(2) On such notification being made any provisions of this Act so applied shall have effect in respect of persons belonging to any such force as they have effect in respect of persons subject to this Act holding in the Pakistan Army the same rank as or equivalent to that which the aforesaid persons hold for the time being in the said force ; and shall have effect in respect of persons who are employed by, or are in the service of, or are followers of, or accompany any portion of any such force as they have effect in respect of persons subject to this Act under clause (c) of subsection (1) of section 2.

(3) While any of the provisions of this Act apply to any such force, the 1[Federal Government] may, by notification, direct by what authority any jurisdiction, powers or duties incident to the operation of these provisions shall be exercised or performed in respect of that force, and may suspend the operation of any other enactment for the time being applicable to that force.

Section 6. Application of Act to States forces by Order of the President

The 3[President] may by Order apply all or any provisions of this Act to any Land Forces of an Acceding State.

Section 7. Power to declare persons to be on active service

Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (1) of section 8, the 1[Federal Government] may, by notification, direct that any person or class of persons subject to this Act shall, with reference to any area in which they may be serving or with reference to all or any of the provisions of this Act or of any other law for the time being in force, he deemed to be on active service within the meaning of this Act.

Section 8. Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,__

(1) “active service”, as applied to a person subject to this Act, means the time during which such person is attached to, or forms part of a force which is engaged in operations against an enemy, or is engaged in military operations in, or is on the line of march to, a country or place wholly or partly occupied by an enemy, or is attached to or forms part of a force which is in military occupation of a foreign country; 4[(1A) “affiliated entities” mean entities affiliated with or controlled by the Pakistan Army, including but not limited to statutory bodies, trusts, foundations, organizations and other entities as approved by Federal Government;] 5[(2) 6[“Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces”] means the officer commanding the Pakistan Army 7[, duly appointed by the President, in accordance with Article 243 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, read with section 8A.] 7[(2A) 6[* * * * * * *]]

(3) “Civil offence” means an offence which, if committed in Pakistan, would be triable by a criminal court.]

(4) “Commanding Officer” means:__

(i) when used in any provision of this Act with reference to any separate portion of the Pakistan Army, the officer whose duty it is under the regulations of the

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

2Added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1971 (13 of 1971), s. 2.

3Subs. by A.O., 1961, Art. 2 and Sch., for “Governor-General” (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956).

4Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.4.

5Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 3. for sub-section (2) and (3).

6Subs. & omitted by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, ss. 2 & 4.

7Ins. by Act I of 2020, s.2 (w.e.f. 27-11-2019.)

Pakistan Army, or in the absence of such regulations by the custom of the service, to discharge with respect to that portion, the functions of the commanding officer, 1[* * *]

(ii) when used in relation to a person subject to this Act, the officer for the time being in command of any separate portion of the Pakistan Army 2[or of any unit of a force] to which such person belongs or is attached 3[, and] 4[(iii) when used in relation to a person subject to this Act under clause (d) of sub- section

(1) of section 2, any staff officer of General Headquarters or a formation Headquarters or an officer, not below the rank of field officer, within whose jurisdiction the offence is alleged to have been committed or the person who is alleged to have committed it resides or is found.] 5[(4A) “convening authority” mean an officer who is empowered to convene court martial under this Act;]

(5) “corps” means any separate body of the Pakistan Army 2[or of any force] which is prescribed as a corps for the purposes of all or any of the provisions of this Act ;

(6) “Court martial” means a Court martial held under this Act ;

(7) “Criminal Court” means a court of ordinary criminal justice in Pakistan, or established elsewhere by the authority of the 6[Federal Government] ;

(8) “enemy” includes all armed mutineers, armed rebels, armed rioters, pirates and any person in arms against whom it is the duty of any person subject to this Act to act ; 7[(8a) “Islamic law” means a law relating to the enforcement of Hudood;]

(9) “junior commissioned officer” means a person commissioned, gazetted or in pay as a junior commissioned officer in the Pakistan Army; 8[(9a) “military custody” means the arrest or confinement of a person according to the usage of the service and includes naval or air force custody;

(9b) “military reward” includes any gratuity or annuity for long service or good conduct, any good service pay or pension, and any other military pecuniary award ;]

(10) “non-commissioned officer” means a persons attested under this Act who holds a non- commissioned rank in the Pakistan Army 9[and includes an active non-commissioned officer];

(11) “offence” means any act or omission punishable under this Act and includes a civil offence as hereinbefore defined;

1Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 2.

2 Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 2.

3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 2, for semi colon.

4Added ibid., s. 2.

5Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.4.

6Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

7Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 2.

8New clauses (9a) and (9b) ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 4.

9Added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s.4.

10Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 3 which was previously subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1963 (9 of 1963), s. 2, for the original clause (12), to read as above.

when serving under such conditions as may be prescribed, an officer of the Pakistan Navy and an officer of the Pakistan Air Force,].

(l3) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules 1[, regulations and instructions] made under this Act;

(14) “service” when used in relation to an institution, necessaries, books, band, mess, money, goods or other property means an institution, necessaries, books, band, mess, money, goods or other property belonging to, or connected with, the Pakistan Army or any unit or part thereof;

(15) “superior officer”. when used in relation to a person subject to this Act, 2[includes a junior commissioned officer, a warrant officer] or a non-commissioned officer; and, as regards persons placed under his orders, an officer, warrant officer, petty officer or non-commissioned officer of the Pakistan Navy or Air Force;

(16) “warrant officer” means a person appointed, gazetted or in pay as a warrant officer of the Pakistan Army 3[;] 4[(17) All words and expressions used but not defined in this Act and defined in the Pakistan Penal Code (XLV of 1860) 5[or in any Islamic Law] shall be deemed to have the meanings assigned to them in that Code 5[or, as the case may be, that law]. 6[CHAPTER.__ 1A APPOINTMENT OF THE 7[CHIEF OF THE ARMY STAFF CONCURRENTLY THE CHIEF OF THE DEFENSE FORCES] AND THE 7[COMMANDER OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC COMMAND]

Section 8A. Appointment of the 7[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces]

(1) The President shall, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint a General as the 7[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces], for a tenure of 8[five (05)] years 7[:] 7[Provided that for the first appointment of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces under paragraph (a) of clause (4) of Article 243 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the tenure under this section shall commence from the date of notification of the said office. Explanation I.__ On issuance of notification of the first appointment of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces under this sub-section, the existing tenure of the incumbent Chief of the Army Staff shall be deemed to have recommenced from the date of such notification. Explanation II.__ The provisions of sub-section shall mutatis mutandis apply where a General is promoted as a Field Marshal.] 7[(2) The Federal Government shall determine the duties, functions and responsibilities of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces including but not limited to his functions and responsibilities regarding multi-domain integration, necessary restructuring and optimum jointness of the Armed Forces.] 7[(3)] The terms and conditions of the 7[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] shall be determined by the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister.

1Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.4.

2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958. (11 of 1958), s. 4. for “includes a warrant officer”.

3Subs. ibid, for full-stop.

4New clause (17) added ibid.

5Ins. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s.2.

6Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 2020 (1 of 2020), s. 3. (w.e.f 27-11-2019) 7Subs., added, ins. & re-numbered by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2, 3 & 5.

8Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2024, s.2-3.

Section 8B. Reappointment 1[and/or] extension of the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces]

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law for the time being in force, the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, may reappoint the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] for additional tenure of 2[five (05)] years, 1[*] 2[, and/or] extend the tenure(s) of the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] up to 2[five (05)] years, on such terms and conditions, as may be determined by the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, in the national security interest or exigencies, from time to time 1[;] 1[Explanation:__ The provisions of sub-section shall mutatis mutandis apply where a General is promoted as a Field Marshal.]

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law, or any order or judgment of any Court, the appointment, reappointment or extension of the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces], or the exercise of discretion by the appointing authority in this regard, shall not be called into question before any Court on any ground whatsoever.

[2] Section 8C. Retirement age and service limits of the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces]

The retirement age and service limits prescribed for a General, under the Rules and Regulations made under this Act, shall not be applicable to the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces], during his tenure of appointment, re- appointment, and/or extension. Throughout such tenure, the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] shall continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army 1[;]] 1[Explanation:__ The provisions of Article 243 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan applicable to a Field Marshal shall apply where a General is promoted to the said rank.]

[1] Section 8D. Appointment of the Commander of the National Strategic Command

(1) The Prime Minister may, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces, appoint the Commander of the National Strategic Command, from amongst Generals in the Pakistan Army, for a tenure of three (03) years.

(2) The terms and conditions of the Commander of the National Strategic Command shall be determined by the Prime Minister.

Section 8E. Reappointment and/or extension of the Commander of the National Strategic Command

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law for the time being in force, the Prime Minister may, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces, reappoint the Commander of the National Strategic Command for additional tenure of three (03) years and/or extend the tenure(s) of the Commander of the National Strategic Command up to three (03) years, on such terms and conditions, as may be determined by the Prime Minister, in the national security interest or exigencies, from time to time.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law, or any order or judgment of any Court for the time being inforce, the appointment, reappointment or extension of the Commander of the National Strategic Command, or the exercise of discretion by the appointing authority in this regard, shall not be called into question before any Court on any ground whatsoever.

Section 8F. Retirement age, service limits of the Commander of the National Strategic Command

The retirement age, service limits and removal prescribed for a General, under this Act and the rules and regulations made hereunder, shall not be applicable to the Commander of the National Strategic Command, during his tenure of appointment, reappointment, or extension. Throughout such tenure, the Commander 1Subs., omitted and ins. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, ss. 2, 6, 7 and 8.

2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2024, ss. 3-4

of the National Strategic Command shall continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army.

Section 8G. Abolishment of the Office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee shall stand abolished with effect from the twenty-seventh day of November two thousand and twenty-five.]

CHAPTER II

APPOINTMENT, ENROLEMENT AND ATTESTATION

Section 9. Appointment to warrant rank

The 1[President] may appoint any person as a warrant officer.

9A. [Administration of oath to warrant officers. (Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 4].

[2] Section 10. Ineligibility for commissioning or attestation

A person who is not a citizen of Pakistan or a dual national or under the age of eighteen years shall not be granted commission or attestation in the Pakistan Army.]

Section 11. Procedure before enrolling officer

Upon the appearance before the prescribed enrolling officer of any person desirous of being enrolled, the enrolling officer shall read and explain to him, or cause to be read and explained to him in his presence, the conditions of the service for which he is enrolled and shall put to him the questions set forth in the prescribed form of enrolment and shall, after having cautioned him that if he makes a false answer to any such question he will be liable to punishment under this Act, record or cause to be recorded his answer to each such question.

Section 12. Enrolment

If, after complying with the provisions of section 11, the enrolling officer is satisfied that the person desirous of being enrolled understands the questions put to him and consents to the conditions of service, and if the enrolling officer perceives no impediment, he shall sign and also cause such person to sign the enrolment paper and the person shall thereupon be deemed to be enrolled.

Section 13. Presumption of validity of enrolment in certain cases

Every person who has for the space of three months been in receipt of military pay as a person enrolled under this Act and been borne on the rolls of any corps or unit of the Pakistan Army shall be deemed to have been duly enrolled and shall not be entitled to claim his discharge on the ground of any irregularity or illegality in his enrolment or on any other ground whatsoever, and if any person, in receipt of such pay and borne on the rolls as aforesaid, claims his discharge before the expiry of three months from his enrolment, no such irregularity or illegality or other ground shall, until he is discharged in pursuance of his claim, affect his position as a person enrolled under this Act or invalidate any proceedings, act or thing taken or done prior to his discharge.

Section 14. Persons to be attested

The following persons shall be attested, namely:__

(a) all persons enrolled as combatants;

(b) all persons selected to hold a non-commissioned or acting non-commissioned rank;

1Subs. by A.O., 1961, Art. 2, for “Governor-General” (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956).

2Subs. by Act LXII of 2023, s.5.

3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3 for “Central Government”.

Section 15. Mode of attestation

(1) When a person who is to be attested is reported fit for duty, or has completed the prescribed period of probation, an oath or affirmation shall be administered to him in the prescribed form by his commanding officer, in front of his corps or unit or such portion thereof as may be present, or by any other prescribed person 1[:] 1[Provided that, if the person to be attested is a Muslim, this section shall have effect as if reference therein to affirmation were omitted.]; 2[(2) The form of oath or affirmation prescribed under this section shall contain a promise that the person to be attested will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan and uphold the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan which embodies the will of the people, that he will not engage himself in any political activities whatsoever and that he will honestly and faithfully serve Pakistan in the Pakistan Army as required by or under the law, and that he will obey all commands of any officer set over him, even to the peril of his life.]

(3) The fact that an enrolled person has taken the oath or affirmation directed by this section shall be entered on his enrolment paper, and authenticated by the signature of the officer administering the oath or affirmation.

15A. [Fresh oath to certain persons]. [Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 6].

CHAPTER III

TERMINATION OF SERVICE

Section 16. Dismissal or removal by Federal Government

The 3[Federal Government] may dismiss or remove from the service any person subject to this Act.

Section 17. Dismissal or removal by 4[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or other authorised officer

(1) The 4[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] may dismiss or remove from the service any junior commissioned officer, or 5[non-commissioned], or any person enrolled under this Act.

(2) An officer having power 6[to convene a district court martial or an officer not below the rank of lieutenant-colonel] empowered by the 4[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] in this behalf may dismiss or remove from the service any person enrolled under this Act who may be serving under his command.

[5] Section 18. Retirement, resignation, release or discharge

The competent authority may, as may be prescribed in this behalf, retire, release, accept or reject resignation of, or discharge from the service, any person subject to this Act:

Provided that owing to exigencies, extraordinary circumstances, or if war is imminent or existing, the Federal Government may retain compulsorily in service upto sixty years of age any person with the recommendations of the 4[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] and as prescribed in this Act or the rules, regulations or instructions made and issued thereunder.]

1Subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 5.

2Subs. F.A.O. 1975, Art. 2, and Sch, for sub-section 2 and 3.

3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

4Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

5Subs. by Act LXII of 2023, s.6-7.

6Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), section 3, for “not less than that of a brigade commander or any officer not below the rank of brigadier”.

Section 19. Certificate on termination of service

Every junior commissioned officer, warrant officer, or person enrolled under this Act, who is dismissed, removed, retired, released or discharged from the service shall be furnished by his commanding officer with a certificate in the English language or such other language as he understands, setting forth,__

(a) the authority who terminates his service;

(b) the cause for such termination;

Section 20. Discharge or dismissal when out of Pakistan

(1) Any person subject to this Act, who is entitled under the conditions of his service to be discharged, or whose discharge is ordered by competent authority, and who, when he is so entitled or ordered to be discharged, is serving out of Pakistan, and requests to be sent to Pakistan, shall, before being discharged, be sent to Pakistan with all convenient speed.

(2) Any person subject to this Act who is dismissed from the service and who, when he is so dismissed is serving out of Pakistan shall be sent to Pakistan with all convenient speed.

(3) When any such person as is mentioned in sub-section (2) is sentenced to dismissal combined with any other punishment, such other punishment, or in the case of a sentence of 1[imprisonment for life or for a shorter term] a portion of such sentence may be inflicted before he is sent to Pakistan. Explanation.__ For the purposes of this section, the word “discharge” shall include retirement or release, and the word “dismissal” shall include removal.

CHAPTER IV

SUMMARY REDUCTION AND PUNISHMENT OTHERWISE THAN BY SENTENCE OF COURT MARTIAL.

Section 21. Reduction of warrant officers and non-commissioned officers

(1) The 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] may reduce to a lower grade or class any warrant officer.

(2) The 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or 3[an officer having power to convene a district court martial or an officer not below the rank of lieutenant-colonel empowered by the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] in this behalf] may reduce to a lower grade or rank or to the ranks any non-commissioned officer who may be serving under his command.

Section 22. Reversion of an acting non-commissioned officer

The commanding officer of an acting non-commissioned officer may order him to revert to his permanent grade as a non-commissioned officer or, if he has no permanent grade above the ranks, to the ranks.

Section 23. Minor punishments

(l) The 4[Federal Government] may, on the recommendation of the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] prescribe the minor punishments to which persons subject to this Act shall be liable without the intervention of court martial, and the officer by whom, and the extent to which, such minor punishments may be awarded.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 7, for “transportation or imprisonment”.

2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 4, for original words.

4Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

(2) Detention, or rigorous imprisonment in military custody, and, in the case of persons subject to this Act on active service, any prescribed field punishment may be specified as minor punishments:

Provided that__

(a) the term of such detention, rigorous imprisonment or field punishment shall not exceed twenty-eight days, and

(b) such detention, rigorous imprisonment or field punishment shall not be awarded to any person who is of or above the rank of non-commissioned officer, or who, when he committed the offence in respect of which it is awarded, was of or above such rank.

CHAPTER V

OFFENCES

Section 24. Offences in relation to enemy and punishable with death

Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,__

(a) shamefully abandons or delivers up any garrison, fortress, airfield, place, post or guard committed to his charge or which it is his duty to defend, or uses any means to compel or induce any commanding officer or other person to do any of the said act; or

(b) in the presence of any enemy, shamefully casts away his arms, ammunition, tools or equipment, or misbehaves in such manner as to show cowardice; or

(c) intentionally uses words or any other means to compel or induce any person subject to this Act, 1[* * *] 2[or the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953),] or to the 3[Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961 (XXXV of 1961)], to abstain from acting against the enemy or to discourage such person from acting against the enemy; or

(d) directly or indirectly, treacherously holds correspondence with, or communicates intelligence to, the enemy or who coming to the knowledge of such correspondence or communication treacherously omits to discover it to his commanding or other superior officer; or

(e) directly or indirectly assists or relieves the enemy with arms, ammunition, equipment, supplies or money, or knowingly harbours or protects an enemy not being a prisoner; or

(f) treacherously or through cowardice sends a flag of truce to the enemy; or

(g) in time of war, or during any operation, intentionally occasions a false alarm in action, camp, garrison or quarter, or spreads reports Calculated to create alarm or despondency; or

1Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3, and Sch. 2.

2Ins. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th October, 1955).

3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 5, for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934”.

(h) in time of action, leaves his commanding officer, or quits his post, guard, picquet, patrol or party without being regularly relieved or without leave; or

(i) having been made a prisoner of war, voluntarily serves with or aids the enemy; or

(j) knowingly does when on active service any act calculated to imperil the success of the Pakistan forces or any forces co-operating therewith or of any part of such forces;

shall on conviction by court martial, be punished with death or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 25. Offences in relation to the enemy and not punishable with death

Any person subject to this Act who, on active service,__

(a) without orders from his superior officer leaves the ranks in order to secure prisoners, animals or materials, or on pretence of taking wounded men to the rear; or

(b) without orders from his superior officer, wilfully destroys or damages any property; or

(c) is taken prisoner for want of due precaution or through disobedience of orders a wilful neglect of duty, or, having been taken prisoner, fails to rejoin his service when able to do so; or

(d) without due authority, either holds correspondence with, or communicates intelligence, or sends a flag of truce, to the enemy; or

(e) by word of mouth, or in writing, or by signals, or otherwise spreads reports calculated to create alarm or despondency; or

(f) in action, or previously to going into action, uses words calculated to create alarm or despondency;

shall, on conviction by Court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 26. Disclosure of parole or watchword

Any person subject to this Act who__

(a) treacherously makes known the parole, watch-word or countersign to any person not entitled to receive it, or

(b) treacherously gives a parole, watchword or countersign different from what he received, shall, on conviction by court martial, if he commits the offence on active service, be punished with death, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned, and

1[if he commits such offence not on active service], be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

[2] Section 26A. Unauthorisd disclosure

(1) If any person, who is or has been subject to this Act, discloses or causes to be disclosed any information, acquired in official capacity, which is or may be prejudicial to the security and interest of Pakistan or the Armed Forces of Pakistan, shall be guilty of an offence, and on conviction by the court constituted under this Act, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years.

(2) Any disclosure made after seeking prior approval from the 3[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces], or any officer duly empowered by him, in the manner prescribed, shall not be deemed as unauthorized disclosure under sub-section (1).

(3) The information disclosed in contravention of sub-section (1), if prejudicial to the security and interest of Pakistan or the Armed Forces of Pakistan, shall be dealt with under section 59 of this Act, read with the Official Secrets Act, 1923 (XIX of 1923).

Section 26B. Political activity

(1) Any person, who is or has been subject to this Act, shall not engage in political activity of any kind within a period of two years from the date of his retirement, release, resignation, discharge, removal or dismissal from the service.

(2) A person, who is or has been subject to this Act and has remained posted, employed, seconded, tasked or otherwise attached on sensitive duties, as prescribed under this Act, shall not take part in political activity of any kind, during a period of five years from the date of his retirement, release, resignation, discharge, removal or dismissal from the service.

(3) Whoever violates sub-sections (1) or (2) of this section shall, on conviction by the court constituted under this Act, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term, which may extend to two years.]

Section 27. Offences against property or persons of inhabitant of country where serving

Any person subject to this Act who, on active service, commits any offence against the property or person of any inhabitant of, or resident in, the country in which he is serving shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 28. Offences relating to sentries

Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,__

(a) being a sentry, sleeps or is intoxicated on his post or quits it without leave; or

(b) being a sentry, or on guard, plunders, or wilfully destroys, or injures, any property placed under his charge or under charge of his guard; or

(d) without orders from his superior officer, leaves his guard, picquet, patrol or post; shall, on conviction by court martial,

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 5, for “if he commits such offence on active service”.

2Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.8.

3Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

Section 29. House breaking, false alarms, unauthorised disclosures, punishable more severely on active service than at other times

Any person subject to this Act who__

(a) breaks into any house or other place in search of plunder; or

(b) by any means whatever, intentionally occasions a false alarm; or

(c) without due authority, either verbally or in writing or by signals or otherwise discloses the number or position of any of the Pakistan forces, or any part thereof, or any preparation for, or orders relating to operations or movement of such forces;

shall, on conviction, by court martial, if he commits the offence on active service be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned, or if he commits the offence not on active service, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 30. Other service offences

Any person subject to this Act who__

(a) by any means whatever, negligently occasions a false alarm; or

(b) makes known the parole, watchword, or countersign to any person not entitled to receive it, or, without good and sufficient cause, gives a watchword, parole or countersign different from what he received; or

(c) irregularly detains or appropriates to his own unit or detachment any provisions or supplies proceeding to the forces, contrary to orders issued in that respect; shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 31. Mutiny and insubordination

Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,__

(a) begins, incites, causes, or conspires with any other person to cause, or joins in, any mutiny in the military, naval or air forces of Pakistan or any forces co- operating therewith; or

(b) being present at any such mutiny, does not use his ut-most endeavours to suppress the same; or

(c) knowing or having reason to believe in the existence of any such mutiny or any intention to commit such mutiny, or of any such conspiracy, does not without

reasonable delay give information thereof to his commanding or other superior officer; or

(d) attempts to seduce any person in the military, naval or air forces of Pakistan from his duty or his allegiance to the Government of Pakistan; shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with death or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 32. Offences in relation to superior officers

(1) Any person subject to this Act who uses or attempts to use criminal force to, or commits an assault on, his superior officer being in the execution of his office, knowing or having reason to believe him to be such, shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

(2) Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say__

(a) uses or attempts to use criminal force to, or commits an assault on, his superior officer, knowing or having reason to believe him to be such; or

(b) is grossly insubordinate or insolent to his superior officer, knowing or having reason to believe him to be such; or

(c) impedes a provost marshal or any person lawfully acting on his behalf, or any member of the service police, or when called upon, refuses to assist a provost marshal or any person lawfully acting on his behalf or any member of the service police in the execution of his duty, shall, on conviction by court martial, if he commits such offence on active service, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and if he commits such offence not on active service, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned. Explanation.__ For the purposes of sub-section (2), “provost marshal” shall be deemed to include a provost marshal or any of his assistants appointed under 1[* * *] the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953), or the 2[Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961 (XXXV of 1961)], and “service police” shall be deemed to include members of the Air Force or the Naval Police, being persons subject to the aforesaid Acts.

Section 33. Disobedience of lawful command

(1) Any person subject to this Act who disobeys in such a manner as to show a willful defiance of authority a lawful command given personally by his superior officer, knowing or having reason to believe him to be such, shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

1Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. II.

2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 5, for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934”.

Section 34. Neglect to obey orders

Any person subject to this Act who neglects to obey any standing or routine or other orders shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 35. Insubordination and obstruction

Any person subject to this Act, who__

(a) being concerned in any quarrel, affray or disorder, refuses to obey any officer though of inferior rank, who orders him into arrest, or uses criminal force to, or assaults any such officer; or

(b) uses criminal force to or assaults any person, whether subject to this Act or not, in whose custody he is lawfully placed, and whether he is or is not his superior officer; or

(c) resists an escort whose duty it is to apprehend him or to have him in charge; shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 36. Desertion and aiding deserters

(1) Any person subject to this Act who deserts or attempts to desert the service shall, on conviction by court martial. if he commits the offence when on active service or when under orders for active service, be punished with death, or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and if he commits the offence under any other circumstances, be punished 1[with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years] or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

(2) Any person subject to this Act who knowingly harbours any deserter from any of the military, naval or air forces of Pakistan shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

(3) any person subject to this Act who, being cognizant of any desertion, or attempt at desertion, of any person belonging to the military, naval or air forces of Pakistan, does not forthwith give notice to his own or some other superior officer, or does not take any steps in his power to cause

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 8.

Section 37. Absence without leave

Any person subject to this Act who,__

(a) absents himself without leave; or

(b) without sufficient cause overstays leave granted to him; or

(c) being on leave of absence and having received information from proper authority that the corps or unit or detachment or portion of the corps, unit or detachment to which he belongs, has been ordered on active service, fails, without sufficient cause, to rejoin without delay; or

(d) without sufficient cause fails to appear at the time fixed, at the parade or place appointed for exercise or duty; or

(e) when on parade, or on the line of march, without sufficient cause 1[or] without leave from his superior officer, quits the parade or line of march; or

(f) when in camp or garrison or elsewhere, is found beyond any limits fixed, or in any place prohibited, by any standing or routine order without a pass or written leave from his superior officer; or

(g) without leave from his superior officer or without sufficient cause, absents himself from any school or other institution when duly ordered to attend there; shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2[three years], or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned

Section 38. Fraudulent enrolment

Any person subject to this Act who,__

(a) without having obtained a regular discharge from the corps or unit to which he belongs, or without having otherwise fulfilled the conditions enabling him to enroll or enter, enrolls himself in, or enters the same or any other corps or unit or any part of the Pakistan Forces regular or non-regular; or

(b) is concerned in the enrolment in any of the Pakistan Forces, regular or non- regular, of any person whom he knows or has reason to believe to be so circumstanced that by enrolling he commits an offence against this Act 3[* * *] 4[or the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953),] or the 5[Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961 (XXXV of 1961)];

shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 6, for “and”.

2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 9, for five years.

3Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981, (27 of 1981), s. 3, and Sch., 2.

4Ins. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3, and 2nd Sch., (with effect from the 14th October, 1955).

5Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 5, for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934”.

Section 39. False answers on enrolment

Any person having become subject to this Act by enrolment who is discovered to have made at the time of his enrolment a wilfully false answer to any question set forth in the prescribed form of enrolment which was put to him by the enrolling officer before whom he appeared for the purpose of being enrolled shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 40. Fraudulent offence in respect of property

Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,__

(a) dishonestly misappropriates or commits theft of, or criminal breach of trust in respect of, any property belonging to the Government or any service property or the property of any person subject to this Act, 1[* * *] 2[or the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953)] or to the 3[Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961 (XXXV of 1961)], or of any person serving with or attached to any of the armed forces of Pakistan; or

(b) dishonestly receives or retains any stolen property of the nature specified in clause (a), knowing or having reason to believe the same to be stolen; or

(c) is guilty of any other act or omission with intent to defraud, or to cause wrongful gain or wrongful loss to any person;

shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 41. Certain forms of disgraceful conduct

Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences this is to say,__

(a) malingers or feigns or produces disease or infirmity in himself, or intentionally delays his cure or aggravates his disease or infirmity; or

(b) with intent to render himself or any other person subject to this Act unfit for service, voluntarily causes hurt to himself or such other person; or

(c) is guilty of any disgraceful conduct of a cruel, indecent or unnatural kind; shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 42. Illegal gratification

Any person subject to this Act who directly or indirectly accepts or obtains, or agrees to accept, or attempts to obtain, from any person for himself or any other person, any gratification whatever other than a legal remuneration, as a motive or reward for doing or forbearing to do any act, or for showing favour or disfavour to any person, in relation to any of the affairs of the State or of any service affairs, shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

1Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981, (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. 2.

2Ins. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3. and 2nd Sch (with effect from 14th October, 1955).

3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 5, for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934”.

Section 43. Intoxication

Any person subject to this Act who commits the following offence, that is to say, the offence of being in a state of intoxication, shall, on conviction by court martial, if he commits such offence on active service or while he is on duty, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and 1[if he commits such offence while not on active service or not on duty, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.].

Section 44. Offences in relation to persons in costody

(1) Any person subject to this Act who, without authority, wilfully releases any prisoner or person placed in service custody, shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned. 2[(2) Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,__

(a) negligently or without reasonable excuse allows any prisoner or person placed in his charge to escape; or

(b) being in lawful custody escapes or attempts to escape or leaves such custody before he is set at liberty by proper authority; shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.].

Section 45. Loss of arms, etc. and destruction of property

Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,__

(a) loses by neglect any arms, ammunition, equipment, instruments, tools, clothing or any other thing, being Government or service property issued to him for his use or entrusted to him for his use or entrusted to him for military purposes; or

(b) wilfully destroys or injures any Government or service property; shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 46. False accusation

Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,__

(a) makes a false accusation against any person subject to this Act, knowing or having reason to believe such accusation to be false; or

(b) in making a complaint to his superior officer makes any statement affecting the character of a person subject to this Act knowing or having reason to believe such statement to be false, or in making such complaint knowingly and wilfully suppresses any material fact;

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 3.

2Subs. ibid., s.4.

shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 47. False documents

Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,__

(a) in any report, return, list certificate, book or other service or official document made or signed by him, or of the contents of which it is his duty to ascertain the accuracy,__

(i) knowingly makes or is privy to the making of any false or fraudulent statement; or

(ii) knowingly makes or is privy to the making of an omission with intent to defraud; or

(b) knowingly and with intent to injure any person, or to defraud, suppresses, defaces, alters or makes away with, any service or official document which it is his duty to preserve or produce; or

(c) when it is his official duty to make a declaration respecting any service or official matter, knowingly makes a false declaration; shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 48. Signing in blank and failure to report

Any person subject to this Act who,__

(a) when signing any document relating to pay, arms, ammunition, equipment, clothing, supplies or stores 1[or] any other Government or service property, knowingly leaves in blank any material part for which his signature is a voucher; or

(b) refuses, or by culpable neglect omits, to make a report or return which it is his duty to make;

shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 49. Offences in relation to courts martial

Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,__

(a) refuses to be sworn or affirmed when duly required by a court martial to be sworn or affirmed; or

(b) refuses, when a witness, to answer any question or to produce or deliver up any book, document or other thing when duly required by a Court martial to answer such question, or to produce or deliver up such book, document or other thing; or

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 10, for “of”.

(c) is guilty of contempt of Court martial, by using insulting or threatening language, or by causing any interruption or disturbance in the proceedings of such court;

shall, on conviction by court martial be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 50. False statement before court martial

Any person subject to this Act who, having been duly sworn or affirmed before any court martial or other military Court competent under this Act to administer an oath or affirmation, makes any statement which is false and which he either knows or believes to be false or does not believe to be true, shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 51. Irregular confinement

Any person subject to this Act who,__

(1) without lawful excuse, detains a person in arrest or confinement without bringing him to trial or fails to bring his case before the proper authority for investigation; or

(2) having committed a person to custody, fails without reasonable cause to deliver at the time of such committal, or as soon as practicable, and in any case within twenty-four hours thereafter, to the officer or other person into whose custody the person arrested is committed, an account in writing signed by himself of the offence with which the person so committed is charged; shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 52. Unbecoming behaviour

Any officer, junior commissioned officer or warrant officer, who behaves in a manner unbecoming his position and the character expected of him shall, on conviction by court martial, be liable to be dismissed from the service or to suffer such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 53. Striking or ill-treating person subject to the Act

Any person subject to this Act who strikes or ill-treats any person subject to this Act being his subordinate in rank or position shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 54. Unlawful detention of pay

Any officer, junior commissioned officer, warrant officer or non-commissioned officer who, having received the pay of a person subject to this Act, unlawfully detains or refuses to pay the same, when due, shall, on conviction by court martial, be liable to be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 55. Violation of good order and discipline

Any person subject to this Act who is guilty of any act, conduct, disorder or neglect to the prejudice of good order any of military discipline shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

[1] Section 55A. Conflict of interest

(1) A personnel who is or has been subject to this Act during the preceding five years, shall not directly or indirectly enter into employment, consultation or other

1Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.9.

Provided that sub-section (1) shall not apply to any such employment, consultation or engagement, made after seeking prior approval from the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces], or any officer duly empowered by him, in the manner prescribed.

(2) Any person who contravenes the provision of sub-section (1) shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and may be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine not exceeding five hundred thousand rupees or with both.

Section 55B. Electronic crimes

A personnel who is or has been subject to this Act commits an offence under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (Act XL of 2016) or relevant electronic, digital, social media laws, with the malafide intention to undermine, ridicule or scandalize the Armed Forces of Pakistan, may be proceeded under this Act and shall, on conviction by a court constituted under this Act, shall be punished in prescribed manner with the same punishments as provided for in the said Act XL of 2016 or such other laws, as the case may be.

Section 55C. Defamation

A personnel who is or has been subject to this Act intentionally ridicules, scandalizes, brings into hatred or otherwise attempts to lower the Armed Forces of Pakistan or any part thereof in the estimation of others shall, on conviction by a court constituted under this Act, in the prescribed manner, be punished with imprisonment which may extend to two years or fine or with both.]

Section 56. Offences relating to aircraft

Any person subject to this Act who,__

(a) voluntarily or negligently damages, destroys or loses any service aircraft or aircraft material; or

(b) is guilty of any act or omission likely to cause such damage, destruction or loss; or

(d) is guilty of any act or omission in flying or in the use of any aircraft, or in relation to any aircraft, or aircraft material which causes or is likely to cause loss of life or bodily injury to any person; or

(e) during a state of war, voluntarily and without proper occasion or negligently causes sequestration, by or under the authority of a neutral State, or the destruction in a neutral State, of any service aircraft; shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished, if he has acted voluntarily, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and if he has not acted voluntarily, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with such less punishment as in this Act mentioned.

1Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s. 2.

Section 57. Attempt

Any person subject to this Act who attempts to commit any offence before in this Act specified and in such attempt does any act towards the Commission of the offence shall, on conviction by court martial, where no express provision is made by this Act for the punishment of such attempt, be punished, if the offence attempted to be committed is punishable with death, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and if the offence attempted to be committed is punishable with rigorous imprisonment, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to one-half of the longest term provided for that offence, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

Section 58. Abetment

Any person subject to this Act who abets the commission of any offence before in this Act specified, or of any offence punishable under 2[* * *] the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953), or the 3[Pakistan Navy Ordinance,1961 (XXXV of 1961)], such offence being of the same nature as an offence before in this Act specified, shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with the punishment provided for such offence in this Act (XIV of 1932) 2[* * *] 4[or the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953),] or in the 3[Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961 (XXXV of 1961)], as the case may be, or with such less punishment as in this Act mentioned.

Section 59. Civil offences

(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), any person subject to this Act who at any place in or beyond Pakistan commits any civil offence shall be deemed to be guilty of an offence against this Act and, if charged therewith under this section, shall be liable to be 5[dealt with under this Act], and, on conviction, to be punished as follows, that is to say,__

(a) if the offence is one which would be punishable under any law in force in Pakistan with death or with 6[imprisonment for life], he shall be liable to suffer any punishment 7[* * *] assigned for the offence by the aforesaid law or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and

(b) in any other case, he shall be liable to suffer any punishment 7[* * *] assigned for the offence by the law in force in Pakistan, or 6[*] rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or 6[*] such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned 7[:] 7[Provided that, where the offence of which any such person is found guilty is an offence liable

1Explanation added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 7.

2Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3, and 2nd Sch.

3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), ss. 5 and 6, for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934”.

4Ins. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3, and 2nd Sch., (with effect from 14th October, 1955).

5Subs. by Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 6, for “tried by court material”.

6Subs. and omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 11.

7Omitted, subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 5.

to hadd under any Islamic law, the sentence awarded to him shall be that provided for the offence in that law.

(2) A person subject to this Act who commits an offence of murder against a person not subject to this Act 1[* * *] 2[or the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953)], or to the 3[Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961 (XXXV of 1961)], or of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against such a person or of 4[Zina or Zina-bil-Jabr] in relation to such a person, shall not be deemed to be guilty of an offence against this Act and shall not be 5[dealt with under this Act] unless he commits any of the said offences,__

(a) while on active service, or

(b) at any place outside Pakistan, or

(3) The powers of a court martial 7[or an officer exercising authority under section 23] to charge and punish any person under this section shall not be affected by reason of the fact that the civil offence with which such person is charged is also an offence against this Act. 8[(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force a person who becomes subject to this Act by reason of his being accused of an offence mentioned in clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 2 shall be liable to be tried or otherwise dealt with under this Act for such offence as if the offence were an offence against this Act and were committed at a time when such person was subject to this Act ; and the provisions of this section shall have effect accordingly].

CHAPTER VI

PUNISHMENTS

Section 60. Punishments

Punishments may be inflicted in respect of offences committed by persons subject to this Act and convicted by courts martial according to the scale following, that is to say,__ 4[(a) stoning to death;

(aa) death;

(aaa) amputation of hand, foot or both;] 9[(b) imprisonment for life;]

1Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3, and 2nd Sch.

2Ins. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3, and 2nd Sch., (with effect from 14th October, 1955).

3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), ss. 5 and 6, for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934”.

4Omitted, subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 5-6.

5 Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s.6, for “tried by Court martial”.

6Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3. for “Central Government”.

7Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 6.

8Added by the Defence Services Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1967 (4 of 1967), s. 2.

9Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976, (51 of 1976), s. 12.

(c) 1[*] imprisonment for any term not exceeding 1[Twenty-five] years; 1[(cc) whipping not exceeding one hundred stripes;];

(d) dismissal from the service;

(e) in the case of persons other than officers, junior commissioned officers or warrant officers, detention for a period not exceeding six months;

(f) in the case of warrant officers, reduction in grade or class; and in the case of non-commissioned officers, reduction to the ranks or to a lower rank;

(g) in the case of officers, junior commissioned officers, warrant officers and non- commissioned officers, forfeiture of seniority of rank; or, in the case of any of the aforesaid whose promotion depends upon length of service, forfeiture of all or any part of the service for the purposes of promotion;

(h) forfeiture of service for the purposes of increased pay, or any other prescribed purpose;

(i) in the case of officers, junior commissioned officers, warrant officers and non- commissioned officers, severe reprimand or reprimand;

(j) forfeiture, fines and stoppages as follows, namely:__

(i) in the case of a person sentenced to dismissal from the service, forfeiture of all arrears of pay and allowances and other public money due to him at the time of such dismissal;

(ii) fine;

1[(iii) stoppages of pay and allowances to make good the whole or any part of the proved loss or damage occasioned by the offence of which he is convicted;]

(iv) for an offence committed on active service, forfeiture of pay and allowances for a period commencing on the day of the sentence and not exceeding three months [;]1 1[(k) any other punishment provided for in any Islamic law.]

Provided that, 1[(1) a person shall not be sentenced to imprisonment for life except in respect of an offence of which he is convicted under section 24 or section 31 or sub-section (1) of section 36 or section 59; nor shall a person be fined except in respect of an offence of which he is convicted under section 40 or section 42 or section 55 or section 59; ]

1Omitted Subs., Ins. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 6.

provided for in that law shall be awarded ;]

(3) an offender under this Act shall not be subject to detention for more than six months whether under one or more sentences 1[ ; and] 1[(4) a person shall not be sentenced to stoning to death, amputation of hand, foot or both, whipping or simple imprisonment except in respect of an offence of which he is convicted under an Islamic law. Explanation.__ While computing a sentence under an Islamic law, “imprisonment for life” shall have the same meaning as in such law.]

Section 61. Field punishment

(1) Where any person subject to this Act, being below the rank of warrant officer, commits any offence on active service, it shall be lawful for a court martial to award for that offence any such punishment, other than flogging, as may be prescribed as a field punishment. Field punishment shall be of the character of personal restraint or of hard labour but shall not be of a nature to cause injury to life or limb.

(2) Field punishment shall, for the purpose of commutation, be deemed to stand next below detention.

Section 62. Special provisions regarding sentences

(1) Where an officer, junior commissioned officer or warrant officer is sentenced to 2[stoning to death,] death, 3[imprisonment for life] or 2[*] imprisonment, the court shall, by its sentence, sentence such officer, junior commissioned officer, or warrant officer to be dismissed from the service.

(2) A person subject to this Act, being below the rank of warrant officer who is sentenced to 3[imprisonment for life], 4[or to imprisonment to be undergone otherwise than in military custody] may, in addition thereto, be sentenced to be dismissed from the service.

(3) An officer, junior commissioned officer, warrant officer or non-commissioned officer, when sentenced to forfeiture of seniority of rank or service for the purposes of promotion or to forfeiture of service for the purposes of increased pay, or any other prescribed purpose, may, in addition thereto, be sentenced by court martial to be severely reprimanded or reprimanded.

(4) In addition to, or without any other punishment, in respect of any offence, an offender may be sentenced by court martial to any forfeiture, fine or stoppages authorised by this Act.

(5) A non-commissioned officer sentenced by court martial to 5[ amputation of hand or foot or both,] 3[imprisonment for life], 6[*] imprisonment, detention, field punishment or dismissal from the service shall be deemed to be reduced to the ranks.

1Sub. Ins. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 6.

2Ins. and omitted ibid, s. 7.

3Subs. by Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 13.

4Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 7.

5Ins. ibid.

6Omitted ibid.

1[(6) A person subject to this Act who is sentenced to amputation of hand or foot or both or whipping, may, in addition thereto, be sentenced to be dismissed from the service.]

Section 63. Retention in the ranks of person convicted on active service

When, on active service, any person enrolled under this Act has been sentenced by court martial to dismissal from the service or to 2[imprisonment for life] or 3[*] imprisonment whether combined with dismissal or not, the prescribed officer may direct that such person may be retained to serve in the ranks, and where such person has been sentenced to 2[imprisonment for life] or 3[*] imprisonment, such service shall be reckoned as part of his term or 2[imprisonment for life] or 3[*] imprisonment.

CHAPTER VII

PENAL DEDUCTIONS

Section 64. Authorised deductions only to be made from pay

The pay 4[and allowances] of an officer, junior commissioned officer, warrant officer, or of any person enrolled under this Act shall be paid without any deductions other than deductions authorised by or under this Act or any other law for the time being in force.

Section 65. Deductions from pay and allowances

(1) The following penal deductions may be made from the 5[pay and allowances of an officer], that is to say,__

(a) all pay and allowances for every day he absents himself without leave, unless a satisfactory explanation has been given to his commanding officer or other superior officer and has been accepted by the 6[Federal Government];

(c) any sum required to make good the pay of any person subject to this Act which he has unlawfully retained or unlawfully refused to pay;

(d) all pay and allowances ordered by a court martial or by an officer exercising authority under section 23 to be forfeited or stopped;

(e) any sum required to pay a fine awarded by a criminal court or a court martial exercising jurisdiction under section 59;

(f) any sum required to make good any loss, damage or destruction of any public or service property which, after due investigation, appears to the 6[Federal Government] to have been occasioned by any wrongful act or negligence on the part of the officer;

1Added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 8.

2Subs. by Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 13.

3Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 7.

4Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 8.

5Subs. ibid., s. 9, for “pay of an officer”.

6Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

(h) any sum which a criminal court or the 1[Federal Government] orders him to pay for the maintenance of his wife or his child, legitimate or illegitimate.

(2) The following penal deductions may be made from the pay and allowances of a person subject to this Act other than an officer, that is to say,__

(a) all pay and allowances for every day of absence without leave or as a prisoner of war, and for every day of 3* imprisonment or detention awarded by a criminal court, a court martial, or an officer exercising authority under section 23 or of field punishment awarded by court martial, or such officer;

(b) all pay and allowances for every day while he is in custody or under suspension from duty on a charge for an offence of which he is afterwards convicted by a criminal court or a court martial, or on a charge of absence without leave for which he is afterwards awarded imprisonment, detention or field punishment by an officer exercising authority under section 23;

(c) all pay and allowances for every day on which he is in hospital on account of sickness certified by the medical officer attending on him to have been caused by an offence under this Act committed by him;

(d) for every day on which he is in hospital on account of sickness certified by the medical officer attending on him to have been caused by his own misconduct or imprudence, such sum as may be specified by order of the 1[Federal Government] or of the prescribed officer;

(e) all pay and allowances ordered by a court martial or by an officer exercising authority under section 23 to be forfeited or stopped;

(f) all pay and allowances for every day between his being recovered from the enemy and his dismissal from the service in consequence of his conduct when being taken prisoner by, or while in the hands of, the enemy;

(g) any sum required to make good such compensation for any expense, loss, damage or destruction caused by him to the 1[Federal Government] or to any building or property as may be awarded by his commanding officer;

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3., for “Central Government”.

2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

3Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 15.

(h) any sum required to pay a fine awarded by a criminal court, a court martial exercising jurisdiction under section 59 or an officer exercising authority under section 23;

(i) any sum which a criminal court, the 1[Federal Government] or any prescribed officer orders him to pay for the maintenance of his wife or his child, legitimate or illegitimate:

Provided that the total deductions from the pay and allowances of a person under clauses (e), (g), (h) or (i) shall not, except where he is sentenced to dismissal, exceed in any one month one-half of his pay and allowances for that month. Explanation.__ For the purposes of clauses (a) and (b):

(i) no person shall be treated as absent or in custody unless the absence or custody has lasted for six hours or upwards (except where the absence or custody prevents the absentee from fulfilling any military duty which is thereby thrown on some other person);

(ii) absence or custody for six consecutive hours or upwards, whether wholly in one day or partly in one day and partly in another may be reckoned as absence or custody for a day;

(iii) absence or custody for twenty-four consecutive hours or upward may be reckoned as absence or custody for the whole of each day during any portion of which the person was absent or in custody;

(iv) for the purposes of this explanation “custody” includes custody on a charge for an offence of which a person is afterwards convicted, and any period in custody of any nature, under a sentence of 2[*] rigorous imprisonment, detention or field punishment.

Section 66. Pay and allowances during trial

In the case of a person subject to this Act who is in custody or under suspension from duty on a Charge for an offence, the prescribed officer may direct that the whole or any part of the pay and allowances of such person shall be withheld, pending the result of his trial, on the charge against him, in order to give effect to the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 65.

Section 67. Deduction from public money due, other than pay

Any sum authorised by this Act to be deducted from the pay and allowances of any person may, without prejudice to any other mode of recovering the same, be deducted from any public money due to him other than a pension.

Section 68. Power to withhold pay and allowances pending inquiry into conduct as prisoner of war

Where the conduct of any person subject to this Act, when being taken prisoner by or whilst in the hands of the enemy, is to be inquired into under this Act or any other law for the time being in force, the 3[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or any officer empowered by him in this behalf may order that the whole or any part of the pay and allowances of such person shall be withheld pending the result of such inquiry.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

2Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 15, for “transportation”.

3Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

Section 69. Remission of deductions

Any deduction from pay and allowances authorised by this Act may be remitted in such manner, to such extent and by such authority as may be prescribed.

Section 70. Provision for dependants of prisoner of war from remitted deductions

In the case of a person subject to this Act being prisoner of war, whose pay and allowances have been forfeited under clause (g) of sub-section (1) or clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 65 but in respect of whom a remission has been made under section 69 it shall be lawful for proper provision to be made by the prescribed authority out of such pay and allowances for any dependants of such a person and any such remission shall in that case be deemed to apply only to the balance thereafter remaining of such pay and allowances.

Section 71. General power to make provision for dependants

In the case of a person subject to this Act, it shall be lawful, for proper provision to be made by the prescribed authority for any dependants of any such person who is a prisoner of war or missing out of his pay and allowances.

Section 72. Period during which a person is deemed to be a prisoner of war

For the purposes of sections 70 and 71 a person shall be deemed to continue to be a prisoner of war until the conclusion of any inquiry into his conduct such as is referred to in section 68 and if he is dismissed from the service in consequence of such conduct, until the date of dismissal.

CHAPTER VIII

ARREST AND PROCEEDINGS BEFORE TRIAL.

Section 73. Custody of offenders

(1) Any person subject to this Act who is charged with any offence may be taken into military custody.

(2) Any such person may be ordered into military custody by any superior officer, or except in the case of a person subject to this Act as an officer, by any member of the military, naval or air force police.

(3) An officer may order into military custody any officer, though he may be of a higher rank, who is engaged in a quarrel, affray or disorder.

Section 74. Duty of Commanding Officer in regard to person in custody

Every commanding officer shall take care that a person under his command when charged with an offence is not detained in custody for more then forty-eight hours after the committal of such person into custody is reported to him, without the charge being, investigated, unless investigation within that period seems to him to be impracticable having due regard to the public service. Every case of a person detained in custody beyond a period of forty-eight hours and the reason therefor shall be reported by the commanding officer to the officer to whom application is to be made to convene a general or District court martial for the trial of the person charged:

Provided that in reckoning the period of forty-eight hours all public holidays shall be excluded.

Section 75. Interval between committal and Court martial

In every case where any such person as is mentioned in section 73 and as is not on active service remains in custody for a longer period than eight days, without a court martial for his trial being ordered to assemble, a special report giving reasons for the delay shall be made by his commanding officer in the manner prescribed and a similar report shall be forwarded at intervals of eight days until a court martial is assembled or such person is released from custody.

Section 76. Arrest by civil authorities

Whenever any person subject to this Act, who is accused of any offence under this Act, is within the jurisdiction of any magistrate or police officer, such magistrate or police officer shall aid in the apprehension and delivery to military custody of such person upon receipt of a written application to that effect signed by that person’s commanding officer.

Section 77. Capture of deserters

(1) Whenever any person subject to this Act deserts, his commanding officer shall give written information of the desertion to such civil authorities as in his opinion may be able to afford assistance towards the capture of the deserter. Such authorities shall thereupon take steps for the apprehension of the said deserter in like manner as if he were a person for whose apprehension a warrant had been issued by a magistrate, and shall deliver to deserter, when apprehended, into military custody.

(2) It shall be lawful for any police officer to arrest without warrant any person whom he reasonably believes to be subject to this Act, and to be a deserter or absentee without leave, and to bring him without delay before the nearest magistrate, to be dealt with according to law.

Section 78. Inquiry into absence of person subject to the Act

(1) When any person subject to

this Act has been absent from his duty without due authority for a period of 1[thirty days] a Court of inquiry shall, as soon as practicable, be assembled and such court shall, upon oath or affirmation administered in the prescribed manner, inquire respecting the absence of the person, and the deficiency, if any, in the property of 2[Federal Government] entrusted to his care, or in his arms, ammunition, equipment, instruments, clothing or necessaries ; and, if satisfied of the fact of such absence without due authority or other sufficient cause, the court shall declare such absence and the period thereof and the said deficiency, if any, and the commanding officer of the corps or unit to which the person belongs shall enter in the court martial book of the corps or unit a record of the declaration.

(2) If the person declared absent does not afterwards surrender, or is not apprehended, he shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be a deserter. 3[(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), a person who, after enrolment, fails to report to the corps or unit to which he is required to report within thirty days of the date on which he was required to so report, the commanding officer of the corps or unit shall declare such failure and enter in the court martial book of the corps or unit, as the case may be, a record of the declaration; and if the person in respect of whom such declaration has been made does not afterwards surrender, or is not apprehended, he shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be a deserter.].

[4] Section 78A. Inquiry into any other marshals

A court of inquiry may also be assembled in the prescribed manner to inquire into any matter which may be referred to it.] Provost Marshals

Section 79. Appointment, duties and powers of provost marshals

(1) For the prompt and instant repression of irregularities and offences committed, provost marshals with assistants may be appointed by the 5[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or by any prescribed officer.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 16, for “sixty days”.

2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

3Added by Act 51 of 1976, s. 16.

4New section 78A ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (15 of 1965), s, 3.

5Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

(3) A provost marshal may at any time arrest and detain for trial any person subject to this Act who commits, or is charged with an offence, and may also carry into effect any punishment to be inflicted in pursuance of a sentence awarded by a court martial, or by an officer exercising authority under section 23 but shall not inflict any punishment on his own authority:

Provided that no officer shall be so arrested or detained otherwise than by or under the orders of an officer.

(4) For the purposes of sub-sections (2) and (3) “provost marshal” shall be deemed to include an assistant provost marshal appointed under this Act, or a provost marshal or any of his assistants appointed under 1[* * *] 2[the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953)] or the 3[Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961 (XXXV of 1961)].

CHAPTER IX

COURTS MARTIAL Constitution, Jurisdiction and Powers of Courts Martial.

Section 80. Kinds of courts martial

For the purposes of this Act, there shall be four kinds of courts martial, that is to say,__

(1) general courts martial;

(2) district courts martial;

(3) field general courts martial; and

(4) summary courts martial.

Section 81. Power to convene general courts martial

A general court martial may be convened by the 4[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or by an officer empowered in this behalf by warrant of the 4[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces].

Section 82. Power to convene district courts martial

A district court martial may be convened by an authority having power to convene a general court martial or by an officer empowered in this behalf by a warrant of any such authority.

Section 83. Limitation of powers of convening authorities

A warrant issued under section 81 or section 82 may contain such restrictions, reservations or conditions as the authority issuing it may think fit.

1Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch-II.

2Ins. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th October 1955).

3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 7, for Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934.

4Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

Section 84. Power to convene field general court martial

The following authorities shall have power to convene a field general court martial, namely:__

(a) an officer empowered in this behalf by an order of the 1[Federal Government] or of the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces].

(b) on active service, an officer commanding a portion of the Pakistan Army, not below the rank of brigadier, if in the opinion of such officer commanding, such opinion to be recorded in writing and to be conclusive, it is not practicable with due regard to discipline and the exigencies of the service to try the alleged offender by a general court martial.

Section 85. Composition of general court martial

A general court martial shall consist of not less than five officers each of whom has held a commission for not less than three whole years and of whom not less than four are of a rank not below that of captain.

Section 86. Composition of district court martial

A district court martial shall consist of not less than three officers each of whom has held a commission for a continuous period of not less than two

years.

Section 87. Composition of field general court martial

A field general court martial shall consist of not less than three officers.

Section 88. Summary courts martial

(1) A summary court martial may be held by the commanding officer of any corps or unit or any detachment thereof.

(2) At every summary court martial, the officer holding the trial shall alone constitute the court, but the proceedings shall be attended throughout by two officers, or two junior Commissioned officers, or one officer and one junior commissioned officer, who shall not as such be sworn or affirmed. 3[(3) In the trial of an accused who is a Muslim for an offence punishable under an Islamic law, the officer holding the trial, and the officers and junior commissioned officers attending the trial under sub-section (2), shall all be Muslims; and, where the commanding officer is a non-Muslim, a Muslim officer shall be appointed by the formation commander for holding the trial.]

Section 89. Dissolution of courts martial

(1) If a court martial after the commencement of a trial is reduced below the smallest number of officers of which it is by this Act required to consist, it shall be dissolved.

(2) If, on account of the illness 4[* * *] of the accused before the finding, it is impossible to continue the trial, the court martial shall be dissolved.

(3) The officer who convened a court martial may dissolve such court martial if it appears to him that the exigencies of the service or the necessities of discipline render it impossible or inexpedient to continue the trial.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

3Added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 9.

4Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 17.

(4) Where a court martial is dissolved under this section, the accused may be tried by a fresh Court martial.

Section 90. Prohibition of second trial

Where any person subject to this Act has been acquitted or convicted of an offence by a court martial or by a criminal court or has been summarily dealt with for an offence under section 23, he shall not be liable to be tried again for the same offence by a court martial or be dealt with summarily in respect of it under the said section [:]1 2[ Provided that this section shall not apply in a case in which the finding or sentence of the court martial has not been confirmed or the proceedings have been annulled under section 132.]

Section 91. Period of limitation for trial

(1) No trial by court martial of any person 3[who is or has been] subject to this Act for any offence, other than an offence of desertion or fraudulent enrolment or any of the offences mentioned in 2[section 3[26A, 26B, 31, 40, 55A, 55B, 55C or 59]], shall be commenced after the expiration of three years from the date of such offence, and no such trial for an offence of desertion, other than desertion on active service or of fraudulent enrolment shall be commenced if the person in question, not being an officer, has subsequently to the commission of the offence, served continuously in an exemplary manner for not less than three years with any portion of the Pakistan regular forces.

(2) In the computation of the period of three years specified in sub-section (1) any time spent by the person in question as a prisoner of war, or in evading arrest; shall be excluded.

Section 92. Liability of offender who ceases to be subject to Act

(1) Where an offence has been committed by any person while subject to this Act, and he has ceased to be so subject, he may be taken into and kept in military custody and tried and punished for such offence as if he had continued to be so subject.

(2) No such person shall be tried for an offence, unless his trial commences within six months after he had ceased to be subject to this Act :

Provided that nothing contained in this 3[section] shall apply to the trial of any such person for an offence or desertion, fraudulent enrolment or for any of the offences mentioned in section 3[26A, 26B, 31, 40, 55A, 55B or 55C] or shall affect the jurisdiction of a criminal court to try any offence triable by such court as well as by court martial.

Section 93. Place of trial

Any person subject to this Act who commits any offence against it may be tried and punished for such offence in any place whatever.

Section 94. Order in case of concurrent jurisdiction of court martial and criminal court

When a criminal court and a court martial have each jurisdiction in respect of a civil offence, it shall be in the discretion of the prescribed officer to decide before which court the proceedings shall be instituted and, if that officer decides that they shall be instituted before a court martial, to direct that the accused person shall be detained in military custody.

1Subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1983 (39 of 1983), s. 2.

2Subs. by Pakistan Army (Amdt.) ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s.10, for “Section 31 (or section 40). The word in crotechets were ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s.10, to read as above.

3Ins. and subs. by Act LXII of 2023. s.10-11.

Section 95. Power of criminal court to require delivery of offender

(1) When a criminal court having jurisdiction is of the opinion that proceedings ought to be instituted before itself in respect of any civil offence, it may, by written notice, require the prescribed officer, at his option, either to deliver over the offender to the nearest magistrate to be proceeded against according to law, or to postpone proceedings pending a reference to the 1[Federal Government].

(2) In every such case, the said officer shall either deliver over the offender in compliance with the requisition or shall forthwith refer the question as to the court before which the proceedings are to be instituted for the determination of the 1[Federal Government], whose order upon such reference shall be final.

[2] Section 96. Trial by court martial, bar to subsequent trial by criminal court

Where a person subject to this Act is acquitted or convicted of an offence by a court martial, a criminal court shall be debarred from trying him subsequently for the same offence or on the same facts.]

[3] Section 96A. Definition of court martial

For the purposes of sections 94 and 96, the term “court martial” shall include an officer exercising authority under section 23.]

Section 97. Powers of general and field general courts martial

A general or field general court martial shall have power to try any person subject to this Act for any offence made punishable therein, and to pass any sentence authorised by this Act.

Section 98. Power of district courts martial

A district court martial shall have power to try any person subject to this Act, except an officer, junior commissioned officer or warrant officer, for any offence made punishable therein, and to pass any sentence authorised by this Act other than a sentence of 4[stoning to death or death or amputation of hand, foot or both or imprisonment for a term exceeding two years or whipping exceeding forty stripes].

Section 99. Offences triable by summary court martial

A summary court martial may try any offence punishable under any of the provisions of this Act 4[other than an offence liable to hadd under any Islamic law]:

Provided that when there is no grave reason for immediate action and reference can without detriment to discipline be made to the officer empowered to convene a district court martial, or on active service a field general court martial, for the trial of the alleged offender, an officer holding a summary court martial shall not try without such reference any of the following offences, namely:__

(a) any offence punishable under sections 24, 31 and 59; or

(b) any offence against the officer holding the court.

Section 100. Persons triable by summary court martial

A summary court martial may try any person subject to this Act and under the command of the officer holding the court, except an officer, junior commissioned officer or warrant officer.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1966 (6 of 1966), s. 2, “for original section 96”.

3New section 96A ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 8.

4Subs. and Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 11-12

Section 101. Sentence awardable by summary court martial

A summary court martial may pass any sentence which may be passed under this Act, except a sentence of 1[stoning to death or death or amputation of hand, foot or both or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year or whipping exceeding twenty stripes]:

Provided that if the officer holding the summary court martial is below the rank of 2[Major], he shall not award 1[whipping or] imprisonment for a term exceeding three months.

Section 102. President

The president of a general, district or field general court martial shall be appointed by order of the authority convening the court.

[3] Section 102A. Religion of confirming officer, president, judge advocate and members of general, district or field general court martial

In the trial, by a general, district or field general court martial, of an accused who is a Muslim for an offence punishable under an Islamic law, the confirming officer, the president, the judge advocate and the members shall be Muslims].

Section 103. Judge Advocate

Every general court martial shall, and every district or field general court martial may, be attended by a judge advocate, who shall be an officer belonging to the department of the Judge Advocate General, Pakistan Army or, if no such officer is available, a person appointed by the convening officer.

Section 104. Challenges

(1) At all trials by general, district or field general court martial, as soon as the court is assembled, the names of the president and members shall be read over to the accused, who shall thereupon be asked whether he objects to being tried by any officer sitting on the court.

(2) If the accused objects to such officer, his objection, and also the reply thereto of the officer objected to, shall be heard and recorded, and the remaining officers of the court shall, decide on the objection in the absence of the challenged officer.

(3) If the objection is allowed by one half or more of the votes of the officers entitled to vote, the objection shall be allowed and the member objected to shall retire and his vacancy may be filled in the prescribed manner by another officer subject to the right of the accused to object.

(4) When no challenge is made, or when challenge has been made and disallowed or the place of every officer successfully challenged has been filled by another officer to whom no objection is made or allowed, the court shall proceed with the trial.

Section 105. Voting of members

(1) Every decision of a court martial shall be passed by an absolute majority of votes; and where there is an equality of votes, as to either finding or sentence, the decision shall be in favour of the accused :

Provided that no sentence of death shall be passed without the concurrence, in the case of a general court martial of at least two-thirds of the members and, in the case of a field general court martial of all the members, of the court [:]4 4[Provided further that, where the offence of which an accused is found guilty is an offence liable to hadd under an Islamic law, the sentence awarded shall be that provided for the offence in that law.].

1Subs. the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) ordinance, 1984,(36 of 1984), s.13.

2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1963 (9 of 1963), s. 3, for “Lieutenant-Colonel”.

3Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984, (36 of 1984.), s. 14.

4Subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 15.

(2) In matters other than a challenge or the finding or sentence, the president shall have a second or casting vote.

Section 106. Oaths of president and members

An oath or affirmation in the prescribed form shall be administered to every member of every court martial before the commencement of the trial.

Section 107. Oaths of judge advocate and others

After the members of the court have been sworn or affirmed, an oath or affirmation in the prescribed form shall be administered to the following persons or such of them as are present at the court martial:__

(a) judge advocate;

(b) officer attending for the purpose of instruction;

(d) interpreter.

Section 108. Oaths of witnesses

Every person giving evidence at a court martial shall be examined on oath or affirmation and shall be duly sworn or affirmed in the prescribed form:

Provided that where a court martial is satisfied that a child of tender years is unable to understand the nature of an oath or affirmation, it may dispense with the administration of oath or affirmation.

[1] Section 108A. Affirmation not allowed in the case of Muslim

Where the person referred to in section 106 or section 107 or section 108 is a Muslim, the said section shall have effect as if reference therein to affirmation were omitted.].

Section 109. Summoning witnesses and production of documents

(1) The convening officer, the president of 2[*] 3[a court martial or a court of inquiry], the judge advocate, or the commanding officer of the accused person may, by summons under his hand, require the attendance at a time and place to be mentioned in the summons of any person either to give evidence or to produce any document or thing.

(2) In the case of a witness amendable to military, naval or air force authority, the summons shall be sent to his commanding officer and such officer shall serve it upon him accordingly.

(3) In the case of any other witness, the summons shall be sent to the magistrate within whose jurisdiction he may be or reside, and such magistrate shall give effect to the summons as if the witness were required in the court of such magistrate.

(4) When a witness is required to produce any document or thing in his possession or power, the summons shall describe it with reasonable precision.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to affect the Evidence Act, 1872 (I of 1872), sections 123 and 124, or to apply to any letter, postcard, telegram or other document in the custody of the postal or telegraph authorities.

1Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 21.

2The redundant word “the” has been omitted in printing.

3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (15 of 1965), s. 4, for “Court”.

(7) If any such document is, in the opinion of any other magistrate or of any commissioner of police or district superintendent of police, wanted for any such purpose, he may require the postal or telegraph authorities, as the case may be, to cause search to be made for and to detain such document pending the orders of any such district magistrate, high court or court of session.

[1] Section 110. Commission for the examination of witness

(1) Whenever, in the course of trial by a court-martial, it appears to the court that the examination of a witness is necessary for the ends of justice, and that the attendance of such witness cannot be procured without an amount of delay, expense or inconvenience which in the circumstances of the case, would be unreasonable, such court may, if it thinks necessary, issue a commission in the manner specified in Chapter XL of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, (Act V of 1898), according as the witness resides in a place in or outside Pakistan.

(2) The court may be adjourned for a specified time reasonably sufficient for the execution and return of the commission.

(3) Such a commission shall be executed by the magistrate or officer to whom it is issued in the same manner as if it was issued in the trial of a 2[*] case under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), or of any corresponding law in force at the place where the evidence is recorded; and shall be returned, together with the deposition of the witness examined thereunder, to the Judge Advocate General.

(4) The Judge Advocate General will forward the same to the court-martial who issued it or, if the said court-martial is in the meanwhile dissolved, to another court-martial convened for the trial of the accused in respect of the same charge and any deposition so taken shall be recorded in evidence and shall form part of the proceedings of the court. Explanation.__ The expression “Judge Advocate General” means the Judge Advocate General, Pakistan Army, and includes a Deputy Judge Advocate General.]

Section 111. Conviction of one offence permissible on charge of another

(1) A person charged before a court martial with desertion may be found guilty of attempting to desert or of being absent without leave.

(2) A person charged before a court martial with attempting to desert may be found guilty of being absent without leave.

(3) A person charged before a court martial with any one of the offences specified in clauses (a) and (b) of section 40 may be found guilty of any other of these offences with which he might have been charged.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army and Air Force (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1964 (6 of 1964), s. 2, for the original section 110, as amended by A.O., 1961, the Repealing and Amending Ordinance, 1961 (1 of 1961) and the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (58 of 1962).

2Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1983 (39 of 1983), s. 4.

(5) A person charged before a court martial with any offence under this Act may, on failure of proof of an offence having been committed in circumstances involving a more severe punishment be found guilty of the same offence as having been committed in circumstances involving a less severe punishment.

(6) A person charged before a court-martial with any offence under this Act may be found guilty of having attempted to commit, or of abetment of, that offence although the attempt or abetment is not separately charged.

(7) A person charged before a court martial with using or attempting to use, criminal force, to his superior officer, knowing or having reason to believe him to be such may be found guilty of having committed an assault on such superior officer.

Section 112. Rules of evidence to be the same as in criminal courts

Subject to the provisions of this Act, the rules of evidence in proceedings before courts martial shall be the same as those which are followed in criminal courts.

Section 113. Judicial notice

A court-martial may take judicial notice of any matter within the general military knowledge of the members.

Section 114. Presumption as to signatures

In any proceedings under this Act, any application, certificate, warrant, reply or other document purporting to be signed by an Officer in the service of the Government shall, on production, be presumed to have been duly signed by the person by whom and in the character in which it purports to have been signed until the contrary is proved.

Section 115. Enrolment paper

(1) Any enrolment paper purporting to be signed by an enrolling officer shall, in proceedings under this Act, be evidence that the person enrolled gave the answers which he is therein represented as having given.

(2) The enrolment of such person may be proved by the production of his enrolment paper or a copy of his enrolment paper purporting to be certified to be a true copy by the officer having the custody of the enrolment paper.

Section 116. Presumption as to certain documents

(1) A letter, return or other document with respect to a person,

(i) having, or not having, at any time served in, or been discharged from any part of the armed forces of Pakistan, or

(ii) having, or not having, held any rank or appointment in, or been posted or transferred to any part of such forces, or having or not having served in any particular country or place, or

(iii) being, or not being, authorised to use or wear any naval, military or air force decoration, medal, metal ribbon, badge, wound stripe or emblem, the use or wearing of which by an unauthorised person is, by any law in force for the time being, an offence,

(2) Any army, navy or air force list or gazette purporting to be published by authority shall be evidence of the status and rank of the officers, Junior commissioned officers or warrant officers, therein mentioned, and of any appointment held by such officers, junior commissioned officers or warrant officers and of the corps, unit, battalion, ship, arm, branch or department of the service to which such officers, junior commissioned officers or warrant officers belong.

(3) Where a record is made in any service book in pursuance of this Act or of any rules made thereunder or otherwise in pursuance of duty and purports to be signed by the commanding officer or by the officer whose duty it is to make such record, such record shall be evidence of the facts thereby stated.

(4) A copy of any record in any service book purporting to be certified to be a true copy by the officer having the custody of such book shall be evidence of such record.

(5) Where any person subject to this Act is being tried on a charge of desertion or of absence without leave and such person has surrendered himself into the custody of, or has been apprehended by, any officer, or any portion, of the armed forces of Pakistan, a certificate purporting to be signed by such officer, or by the commanding officer of that portion of the armed forces and stating the fact, date and place of such surrender or apprehension, shall be evidence of the matter so stated.

(6) Where any person subject to this Act is being tried on a charge of desertion or of absence without leave and such person has on arrest or surrender been taken to a police station in Pakistan, a certificate purporting to be signed by the officer-in-charge of that police station, and stating, the fact, date and place of such surrender or apprehension shall be evidence of the matters so stated.

(7) Any document purporting to be a report under the hand of any Chemical Examiner or Assistant Chemical Examiner to the Government of Pakistan upon any matter or thing duly submitted to him for examination or analysis and report may be used as evidence in any proceeding under this

Act.

Section 117. Reference by accused to Government officer

(1) If at any trial, or other proceedings, for desertion or absence without leave, overstaying leave, or not rejoining when warned for service, the accused states in his defence any sufficient or reasonable excuse for his unauthorised absence, and refers in support thereof to any officer in the service of the Government or if it appears that any such officer is likely to prove or disprove the said statement in the defence the court or officer conducting the proceedings shall address such officer and adjourn the court or proceedings until his reply is received.

(2) The written reply of any officer so addressed shall, if signed by him, be received in evidence and have the same effect as if made on oath before the court or officer conducting the proceedings.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973, (51 of 1973), s. 3.

Section 118. Evidence of previous convictions and general character

(1) When any person subject to this Act has been convicted by a court martial of any offence, such court martial may inquire into, and receive and record evidence of, any previous convictions of such person, either by a court martial or by a criminal court, and may further inquire into and record the general character of such person, and such other matters as may be prescribed.

(2) Evidence received under this section may be either oral, or in the shape of entries in, or certified extracts from, service records, and it shall not be necessary to give notice before trial to the person tried that evidence as to his previous convictions or character will be received.

(3) At a summary court martial, the officer holding the trial may, if he thinks fit, record any previous convictions against the offender, his general character, and such other matters as may be prescribed, as of his own knowledge, instead of requiring them to be proved under the foregoing provisions of this section.

CHAPTER X

COMFIRMATION AND REVISION OF FINDING AND SENTENCES.

Section 119. Finding and sentence not valid unless confirmed

No finding or sentence of a general, district or field general court martial shall be valid except in so far as it may be confirmed as provided by this Act.

Section 120. Power to confirm finding and sentence of general court martial

The finding and sentence of a general court martial may be confirmed by the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or by an officer empowered in this behalf by warrant of the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces].

Section 121. Power to confirm finding and sentence of District court martial

The finding and sentence of a district court martial may be confirmed by an officer having power to convene a general court martial or by any officer empowered in this behalf by warrant of any such officer.

Section 122. Limitation of powers of confirming authority

A warrant issued under section 120 or section 121 may contain such restrictions, reservations or conditions as the officer issuing it may think

fit.

Section 123. Power to confirm finding and sentence of field general court martial

The finding and sentence of a field general court martial may be confirmed by the convening officer or 2[, if it is not practicable for the convening officer to do so by reason of his absence on leave or otherwise or the convening officer so directs,] by an authority superior to him.

Section 124. Power of confirming authority to mitigate, remit or commute sentences

Subject to such restrictions, reservations or conditions, as may be contained in any warrant issued under section 120 or section 121, a confirming officer may, when confirming the sentence of a court martial, mitigate or remit the punishment thereby awarded, or commute that punishment for any less punishment or punishments to which the offender might have been sentenced by court martial or if that punishment

1Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1983 (39 of 1983), s. 5.

Section 125. Confirmation of finding and sentence on board a ship

When any person subject to this Act is tried and sentenced by a court martial while on board a ship the finding and sentence so far as not confirmed and executed on board the ship may be confirmed and executed in like manner as if such person had been tried at the port of disembarkation.

Section 126. Revision of finding and sentence

(1) Any finding or sentence of a court martial which requires confirmation may be once revised by order of the confirming officer 4[or convening authority], and, on such revision, the court, if so directed by him, may take additional evidence.

(2) The court, on revision, shall consist of the same officers as were present when the original decision was passed unless any of those officers are unavoidably absent.

(3) In case of such unavoidable absence, the cause thereof shall be duly recorded in the proceedings and the court shall proceed with the revision, provided that, if a general court martial, it still consists of five officers or, if a field general or district court martial, of three officers.

Section 127. Finding and sentence of a summary court martial

The finding and sentence of a summary court martial shall not require to be confirmed, but may be carried out forthwith:

Provided that if the officer holding the trial is of less than five years’ service, he shall not, except on active service, carry into effect any sentence until it has received the approval of 5[an officer having power to convene a district court martial].

Section 128. Transmission of proceedings of a summary court martial

The proceedings of every summary court martial shall without delay be forwarded to 6[an officer having power to convene a district court martial], and such officer, or any higher authority, may, for reasons based on the merits of the case but not on any merely technical grounds, set aside the proceedings or reduce the sentence to any other sentence which the court might have passed [:]7 7[Provided that a sentence awarded as hadd under any Islamic law shall not be so mitigated, remitted or commuted otherwise than in accordance with such law.].

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 22 for “transportation for Life”.

2Proviso Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ord., 1984, (36 of 1984), s. 16. 3Proviso omitted by Act 51 of 1976, s. 22.

4Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.12.

5Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1963 (9 of 1963), s. 4, for “an officer not below the rank of brigadier, who may be empowered in this behalf by the Commander-in-Chief”.

6Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 11, for “an officer not below the rank of brigadier, who may be empowered in this behalf by the Commander-in-Chief”.

7Subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 17.

Section 129. Substitution of a valid finding or sentence for and invalid finding or sentence

(1) Where a finding of guilty by a court martial, which has been confirmed, or which does not require confirmation, is found for any reason to be invalid or cannot be supported by the evidence, the authority which would have had power under section 143 to commute the punishment awarded by the sentence, if the finding had been valid, may substitute a new finding, if the new finding could have validly been made by the court martial on the charge and if it appears that the court martial must have been satisfied of the facts establishing the offence specified or involved in the new finding, and may pass a sentence for the said offence.

(2) Where a sentence passed by a court martial which has been confirmed, or which does not require confirmation, not being a sentence passed in pursuance of a new finding substituted under sub-section (1) is found for any reason to be invalid, the authority referred to in the sub-section may pass a valid sentence.

(3) The punishment awarded by a sentence passed under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall not be higher in the scale of punishments than, or in excess of the punishment awarded by, the sentence for which a new sentence is substituted under this section.

(4) For the purposes of this Act, any finding or sentence substituted in accordance with this section for the finding or sentence of a court martial, and any sentence imposed for an offence specified or involved in any such substituted finding, shall have effect as if it was a finding or sentence of a court martial.

Section 130. Provision in the case of accused being lunatic

(1) Whenever, in the course of a trial by court martial, it appears to the court that the person charged is of unsound mind and consequently incapable of making his defence, or that such person committed the act alleged but was by reason of unsoundness of mind incapable of knowing the nature of the act or that it was wrong or contrary to law, the court shall record a finding accordingly, and the president of the court, or the officer holding the trial as the case may be, shall forthwith report the case to the confirming officer or, in the case of a court martial whose finding does not require confirmation to the prescribed officer.

(2) The confirming officer to whom a case is reported under sub-section (1) may, if he does not confirm the finding, take steps to have the accused person tried by the same or another court martial for the offence with which he was originally charged

(3) The prescribed officer to whom a case is reported under sub-section (1) and a confirming officer confirming a finding in any case so reported to him shall order the accused person to be kept in custody in the prescribed manner, and shall report the case for the orders of the 1[Federal Government].

(4) On receipt of a report under sub-section (3), the 1[Federal Government] may order the accused person to be detained in a lunatic asylum or other suitable place of safe custody.

(5) Where an accused person, having been found by reason of unsoundness of mind to be incapable of making his defence, is in custody or under detention, the prescribed officer may__

(a) if such person is in custody under sub-section (3), on the report of a medical officer that he is capable of making his defence, or

1Subs. by the Pakistan Arm (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

court.

(6) Where any person is in custody under sub-section (3) or under detention under sub- section (4),__

(a) if such person is in custody under sub-section (3), on the report of a medical officer, or

(b) if such person is detained under sub-section (4), on a certificate from any of the authorities mentioned in clause (b) of sub-section (5), that, in the judgment of such officer or authority, such person may be released without danger of his doing injury to himself or to any other person, the 1[Federal Government] may order such person to be released, or to be detained in custody or to be transferred to a public lunatic asylum if he has not already been sent to such an asylum.

(7) Where any relative or friend of any person who is in custody under sub-section (3) or under detention under sub-section (4) desires that he shall be delivered to his care and custody, the 1[Federal Government] may, upon the application of such relative or friend and on his giving security to the satisfaction of the 1[Federal Government] that the person delivered shall__

(a) be properly taken care of and prevented from doing injury to himself or to any other person, and

(b) be produced for the inspection of such authority, and at such time and places, as the 1[Federal Government] may direct, order such person to be delivered to such relative or friend.

(8) A copy of every order made by the prescribed officer under sub-section (5) shall forthwith be sent to the 1[Federal Government].

Section 131. Remedy against finding and sentence of court martial

(1) Any person subject to this Act who considers himself aggrieved by the finding or sentence of a general, field general or district court martial may submit a petition, before confirmation of such finding or sentence, to the officer empowered to confirm it and, after confirmation, to the 1[Federal Government], or the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or to any 3[prescribed officer who is superior in command to] the one who confirmed such finding or sentence.

(2) Any person subject to this Act who considers himself aggrieved by the finding or sentence of a summary court martial may submit a petition to the 1[Federal Government], or the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces], or any officer empowered to act under section 128.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 23, for certain words.

Section 132. Annulment of proceedings

The 1[Federal Government] or the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or any prescribed officer may annul the proceedings of any court martial on the ground that they are illegal or unjust.

Section 133. Bar of appeals

No remedy shall lie against any decision of a court martial save as

provided in this Act, and for the removal of doubt it is hereby declared that no appeal or application shall lie in respect of any proceeding or decision of a court martial to any court exercising any jurisdiction whatever 3[except as provided for in section 133A 4[and section 133B].

[3] Section 133A. Court of Appeals 4[for Hadd cases]

(1) Any person to whom a court martial has awarded a sentence of hadd under an Islamic law may, within sixty days from the date of the sentence, prefer an appeal against the finding and sentence of the court martial to a Court of Appeals consisting of the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or an officer, being a Muslim, designated by him in this behalf, hereinafter referred to as the Court of Appeals 4[for Hadd cases].

(2) No sentence awarded by a court martial as hadd under an Islamic law shall be executed unless it is confirmed by the Court of Appeals 4[for Hadd cases.]

(3) The Court of Appeals 4[for Hadd cases] shall have power to__

(a) confirm the finding or sentence of both; or

(b) substitute a valid finding or sentence for an invalid finding or sentence; or

(c) call any witness for the purpose of recording additional evidence in the presence of the parties who shall be afforded an opportunity to put any question to the witness; or

(d) annul the proceedings of the court martial on the ground that they are illegal or unjust; or

(e) order retrial of the accused by a fresh court.

(4) The decision of the Court of Appeals 4[for Hadd cases] shall be final and shall not be called in question before any court or other authority.].

[4] Section 133B. Court of Appeals for other cases

(1) Any person to whom a court-martial has awarded a sentence of death, imprisonment for life, imprisonment exceeding three months, or dismissal from the service after the commencement of the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 5[1992], may, within forty days from the date of announcement of finding or sentence or promulgation thereof, whichever is earlier, prefer an appeal against the finding or sentence to a Court of Appeals consisting of the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or one or more officers designated by him in this behalf, presided by an officer not below the rank of Brigadier in the case of General Court-Martial or Field General Court-Martial or District Court-Martial or Summary Court- Martial convened or confirmed or countersigned by an officer of the rank of Brigadier or below as the case may be, and one or more officers, presided by an officer not below the rank of Major General in other cases, hereinafter referred to as the Court of Appeals:

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

3Added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), ss. 18. and 19.

4Added and ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1992 (28 of 1992), ss. 2,3, and 4. 5Corrigenda G. of Pak Pt. I, dated 27-01-1993.

Provided that where the sentence is awarded by the court-martial under an Islamic law, the officer or officers so designated shall be Muslims:

Provided further that every Court of Appeals may be attended by a judge advocate who shall be an officer belonging to the Judge Advocate General’s Department, Pakistan Army, or, if no such officer is available, a person appointed by the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces].

(2) A Court of Appeals shall have power to__

(a) accept or reject the appeal in whole or in part; or

(b) substitute a valid finding or sentence for an invalid finding or sentence; or

(c) call may witness, in its discretion for the purpose of recording additional evidence in the presence of the parties, who shall be afforded an opportunity to put any question to the witness; or

(d) annul the proceedings of the court-martial on the ground that they are illegal or unjust; or

(e) order retrial of the accused by a fresh court; or

(f) remit the whole or any part of the punishment or reduce or enhance the punishment or commute the punishment for any less punishment or punishments mentioned in this Act.

(3) The decision of a Court of Appeals shall be final and shall not be called in question before any court or other authority whatsoever.]

CHAPTER XI

EXECUTION OF SENTENCES

[2] Section 134. Form of sentence of stoning to death or death

(1) In awarding a sentence of stoning to death, a court martial shall direct that the sentence shall be executed in the manner provided for in the Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979.

(2) In awarding a sentence of death, a court martial shall, in its discretion, direct that the offender shall suffer death by being hanged by the neck until he be dead, or shall suffer death by being shot to death.

Section 134A. Form of sentence of amputation of hand, foot or both or whipping

(1) In awarding a sentence of amputation of hand, foot or both a court martial shall direct that the sentence shall be executed in the manner provided for in the Offences Against Property (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979 (V of 1979).

1Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 20.

135. Commencement of sentence of 1[imprisonment for life] or 2[*] imprisonment or detention. Whenever any person is sentenced under this Act to 1[imprisonment for life], 2[*] imprisonment or detention, the term of sentence shall, whether it has been revised or not, be reckoned to commence on the day on which the original proceedings were signed by the president or, in the case of summary court martial, by the court.

Section 136. Execution of sentence of 1[imprisonment for life] or 2[*] imprisonment

Whenever any sentence of 1[imprisonment for life] or 2[*] imprisonment is passed under this Act, or whenever any sentence of death so passed is commuted to 1[imprisonment for life] or to 2[*] imprisonment, the commanding officer of the person under sentence, or such other officer as may be prescribed, shall forward a warrant in the prescribed form to the officer-in-charge of the civil prison in which such person is to be confined, and shall forward him to such prison with the warrant:

Provided that in the case of a sentence of 2[*] imprisonment for a period not exceeding three months, the confirming officer, or in the case of a sentence which does not require confirmation, the court, may direct that the sentence shall be carried out in military custody:

Provided further that, on active service, a sentence of 2[*] imprisonment may be carried out by confinement in such place as the officer commanding the forces in the field may, from time to time, appoint.

Section 137. Execution of sentence of imprisonment in special cases

Whenever in the opinion of an officer not below the rank of brigadier empowered in this behalf by the 3[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] any sentence or portion of a sentence of imprisonment cannot, for special reasons, be conveniently carried out in accordance with provisions of section 136 such officer may direct that such sentence or portion of sentence shall be carried out by confinement in any civil prison or other fit place.

Section 138. Execution of sentence of detention

Where a sentence of detention is passed under this Act, the person on whom that sentence has been passed shall undergo the term of his detention either in a detention barrack or in military custody, or partly in one and partly in the other, but not in a prison.

139. [Interim custody of offenders sentenced to transportation] Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 26.

Section 140. Conveyance of prisoner from place to place

A person under sentence of 2[stoning to death, death, amputation of hand, foot or both, imprisonment for life, imprisonment, whipping] or detention may during his conveyance from place to place, or when on board a ship or aircraft, be subjected to such restraint as is necessary for his safe conduct and removal.

Section 141. Communication of certain orders to civil prison officers

Whenever an order is duly made under this Act setting aside or varying any sentence, order or warrant under which any person is confined in a civil prison, a warrant in accordance with such order shall be forwarded by the prescribed officer to the officer-in-charge of the prison in which such person is confined.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act 1976, (51 of 1976), s. 24.

2Subs. and omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), ss. 21-23.

3Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

Section 142. Execution of sentence of fine

When a sentence of fine is imposed by a court martial under this Act, whether the trial was held within Pakistan or not, a copy of such sentence, signed and certified by the president of the court or the officer holding the trial, as the case may be, may be sent to any magistrate in Pakistan and such magistrate shall thereupon cause the fine to be recovered in accordance with the provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898), for the levy of fines as if it were a sentence of fine imposed by such magistrate.

CHAPTER XII

PARDONS REMISSIONS AND SUSPENSION

Section 143. Pardons and remissions

(1) When any person subject to this Act has been convicted by a court martial of any offence, the 1[Federal Government] or the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or any officer not below the rank of brigadier empowered in this behalf by the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] may__

(i) either without conditions or upon any conditions which the person sentenced accepts, pardon the person or remit the whole or any part of the punishment awarded; or

(ii) mitigate the punishment awarded or commute such punishment for any less punishment or punishments mentioned in this Act;

Provided that a sentence of 3[* * *] rigorous imprisonment shall not be commuted for a sentence of detention for a term exceeding the term of rigorous imprisonment awarded by the court [:]4 4[Provided further that a person to whom a sentence has been awarded as hadd under an Islamic law shall not be pardoned, and no such sentence shall be mitigated remitted or commuted to any less punishment or punishments, otherwise than in accordance with such law.]

(2) If any condition on which a person has been pardoned or a punishment has been remitted is, in the opinion of the authority which granted the pardon or remitted the punishment, not fulfilled, such authority may cancel the pardon or remission, and thereupon the sentence of the court shall be carried into effect as if such pardon had not been granted or such punishment had not been remitted:

Provided that, in the case of a person sentenced to 5[imprisonment for life] 4[*] imprisonment, or detention, such person shall undergo only the unexpired portion of his sentence.

(3) When under the provisions of sub-section (5) of section 62 a non-commissioned officer is deemed to be reduced to the ranks, such reduction shall, for the purposes of this section, be treated as a punishment awarded by sentence of a court martial.

Section 144. Suspension of sentence of transportation, 4[imprisonment, whipping or detention

(1) Where a person subject to this Act has been sentenced by a Court martial to 5[imprisonment for life] 4[imprisonment, whipping] or detention, the 1[Federal Government], or the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces], or any officer empowered to convene a general or field general court martial may suspend the sentence whether or not the

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3.

2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

3Certain words omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 28.

4Subs. Omitted and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), ss. 24-25.

5Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 28.

(2) The authority or officer specified in sub-section (1) may in the case of an offender so sentenced direct that, until the orders of such authority or officer have been obtained, the offender shall not be committed to prison or custody.

(3) The powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (2) may be exercised in the case of any such sentence which has been confirmed, mitigated or commuted.

Section 145. Orders pending suspension

(1) Where the sentence referred to in section 144 is imposed by a court martial other than a summary court martial the confirming officer may, when confirming the sentence, direct that the offender be not committed to prison or to custody until the orders of the authority or officer specified in section 144 have been obtained.

(2) Where a sentence of rigorous imprisonment or detention is awarded by a summary court martial, the officer holding the trial or the officer authorised to approve the sentence under the proviso to section 127 may make the direction referred to in sub-section (1).

Section 146. Release on suspension

Where in accordance with any order passed under section 144 a sentence is suspended, the offender shall, whether he has been committed to prison or custody or not, be released forthwith.

Section 147. Computation of period of sentence under suspension

Any period during which a sentence is under suspension shall be reckoned as part of the term of such sentence.

Section 148. Power to set aside suspension or to order remission

The authority or officer specified in section 144 may, at any time whilst a sentence is suspended, order__

(a) that the offender be committed to undergo the unexpired portion of the sentence; or

(b) that the sentence be remitted.

Section 149. Periodical review of suspended sentence

(1) Where a sentence has been suspended, the case may at any time and shall, at intervals of not more than four months be reconsidered by the authority or officer specified in section 144 or by an officer not below the rank of field officer duly authorised in this behalf by the authority or officer specified in section 144.

(2) Where on such reconsideration by the officer authorised in this behalf under sub-section (1), it appears to him that the conduct of the offender since his conviction has been such as to justify a remission of the sentence, he shall refer the case to the authority or officer specified in section 144.

1Subs. by Ordinance, 36 of 1984, s. 25.

2Added ibid.

Section 150. Procedure on further sentence of offender whose sentence is suspended

Where an offender, while a sentence on him is suspended, is sentenced for any other offence, then__

(a) if the further sentence is also suspended under this Act, the two sentences shall run concurrently;

(b) if the further sentence is for a period of three months or more and is not suspended under this Act, the offender shall also be committed to prison or military custody on the unexpired portion of the previous sentence, but both sentences shall run concurrently; and

(c) if the further sentence is for a period of less than three months and is not suspended under this Act, the offender shall be committed on that sentence only, and the previous sentence shall, subject to any order which may be passed under section 148 or 149 continue to be suspended.

Section 151. Scope of power of suspension

The powers conferred by section 144 or section 148 shall be in addition to and not in derogation of the powers of mitigation, remission or commutation of sentences.

Section 152. Effect of suspension on dismissal

(1) Where in addition to any other sentence, the punishment of dismissal has been awarded by a Court martial, and such other sentence is suspended under section 144, then, such dismissal shall not take effect until so ordered by the authority or officer specified in section 144.

(2) If such other sentence is remitted under section 148 the punishment of dismissal shall also be remitted.

CHAPTER XIII

PROPERTY OF DECEASED PERSONS, DESERTERS AND LUNATICS.

Section 153. Property of deceased persons and deserters other than officers

The following provisions are enacted respecting the disposal of the property of every person subject to this Act, other than an officer, who dies or deserts:__

(1) The commanding officer of the corps, unit or detachment to which the deceased person or deserter belonged 1[or the officer commanding a station where the deceased person or deserter left his belongings before moving to field or operational area or before deserting] shall secure all the movable property belonging to the deceased or deserter that is in camp or quarters, and cause an inventory thereof to be made, and draw any pay and allowances due to such person.

(2) In the case of a deceased person who has left in a bank (including any post office savings bank, however named) a deposit not exceeding one thousand rupees, the commanding officer 2[or the officer commanding the station] may, if he thinks fit, require the agent, manager or other proper officer of the bank to pay the deposit to him forthwith, and such agent, manager or other officer shall comply with the requisition notwithstanding anything in the rules of the bank; and after the payment thereof in accordance with such requisition, no person shall have any right in respect of the deposit except as hereinafter provided.

1Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Second Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 9.

2Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Seccond Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (58 of 1965), s. 2.

(4) In the case of deceased person whose estate is not dealt with under clause (3), and in the case of any deserter, the commanding officer 1[or the officer commanding the station] shall cause such of the movable property as does not consist of money to be sold by public auction, and shall pay the regimental and other debts in camp or quarters, if any, and in the case of a deceased person, the expenses of his funeral, ceremonies, from the proceeds of the sale and from any pay and allowances drawn under clause (1) and from the amount of the deposit, if any, received under clause (2).

(5) The surplus, if any, shall, in the case of a deceased person, be paid to his representative, widow or next of kin, if any, or in the event of no claim to such surplus being established, within twelve months after the death then the same shall be remitted to the prescribed person:

Provided that the remission shall not bar the claim of any person to such surplus or any part thereof.

(6) In the case of a deserter, the surplus, if any, shall be forthwith remitted to the prescribed person and shall, on the expiry of three years from the date of his desertion, be forfeited to the State unless the deserter shall in the meantime have surrendered or been apprehended.

(7) The decision of the commanding officer 1[or the officer commanding the station] as to what are the regimental and other debts in camp or quarters of a deceased person or a deserter or as to the amount payable therefor shall be final.

Section 154. Disposal of certain property without production of probate, etc

Property deliverable and money payable to the representative, widow or next of kin of a deceased person under section 153 may, if the total value or amount thereof does not exceed one thousand rupees, and if the prescribed person thinks fit, be delivered or paid to any one of them who appears to be entitled to receive it or to administer the estate of deceased, without requiring the production of any probate, letters of administration, succession certificate or other such conclusive evidence of title 2[:] 2[Provided that when the deceased person was attched to, or formed part of, a force which was not on active service, the commanding officer shall obtain from the representative, widow or next of kin of the deceased to whom the amount as aforesaid is paid an undertaking to the effect that the amount left after payment of debts, if any, shall be distributed amongst the legal heirs of the deceased.]

Section 155. Discharge of commanding officer prescribed person and the Government

Any payment of money or delivery, application, sale or other disposition of any property made, or in good faith purported to be made, by the commanding officer 1[or the officer commanding the station] or the prescribed person in pursuance of section 153 or 154 shall be valid and shall be a full discharge to those ordering or making the same and to the Government from all further liability in respect of the property or money, but nothing herein contained shall effect the rights of any executor or administrator or other representative, or of any creditor of a deceased person against any person to whom such delivery or payment has been made.

1Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Second Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (58 of 1965), ss. 2 and 3.

2Subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1992, (28 of 1992), s. 5.

Section 156. Application of sections 153 to 155 to lunatics, etc

The provisions of sections 153 to 155 shall, so far as they can be made applicable, apply in the case of a person subject to the Act, other than an officer who, notwithstanding anything contained in the Lunacy Act, 1912 (IV of 1912), is ascertained in the prescribed manner to be insane, or who, being on active service, is officially reported missing, as if he had died on a day on which his insanity is so ascertained or, as the case may be, on the day on which he is officially reported missing:

Provided that in the case of a person so reported missing no action shall be taken under clauses

(2) to (5) of section 153 until he is officially presumed to be dead.

Section 157. Property of officers

The provisions of sections 158 to 163, inclusive, shall apply to the disposal of the property of officers subject to this Act who die or desert.

Section 158. Powers of Committee of Adjustment

(1) On the death or desertion of an officer, a Committee of Adjustment appointed in this behalf in the manner prescribed (hereinafter referred to as the committee) shall, as soon as may be, subject to the rules made in this behalf under this Act,__

(a) secure all movable property belonging to the deceased or deserter that is in camp or quarters and cause an inventory thereof to be made and ascertain the pay and allowances, if any, due to him; and

(b) ascertain the amount, and provide for the payment of the regimental and other debts in camp or quarters, if any, of the deceased or deserter.

(2) In the case of a deceased officer whose representative, widow or next of kin has given security to the satisfaction of the committee for the payment of the regimental and other debts in camp or quarters if any, of the deceased, the committee shall deliver any property received by it under sub- section (1) to that representative, widow or next of kin and shall not further interfere in relation to the property of the deceased.

(3) In the case of a deceased officer, the committee, save as may be prescribed, shall, if it appears necessary for the payment of the regimental and other debts in camp or quarters, and the expenses, if any, incurred by the committee, collect all moneys left by the deceased in any bank (including any post office savings bank, however named) and for that purpose may require the agent, manager or other proper officer of the bank to pay the moneys to the committee forthwith, and such agent, manager or other officer shall comply with the requisition notwithstanding anything in any rules of the bank; and when any money has been paid in compliance with the requisition under this sub- section, no person shall have a claim against the bank in respect of such money.

(4) In the case of a deceased officer, whose estate has not been dealt with under sub-section

(2) and in the case of a deserter, the committee, save as may be prescribed, shall, for the purpose of paying the regimental and other debts in camp or quarters, and may in any other case, sell or convert into money such of the movable property of the deceased or deserter as does not consist of money.

(5) The committee shall, out of the money referred to in sub-sections (3) and (4), pay the regimental and other debts in camp or quarters, if any, of the deceased or deserter and, in the case of a deceased, also the expenses of his last illness and funeral.

(6) In the case of a deceased officer the surplus, if any, shall be remitted to the prescribed person.

(8) If, in any case, a doubt or difference arises as to what are the regimental and other debts in camp or quarters of a deceased officer or a deserter or as to the amount payable therefor, the decision of the prescribed person shall be final.

(9) For the purposes of the exercise of its duties under this section, the committee shall, to the exclusion of all authorities and persons whomsoever, have the same rights and powers as if it had taken out representation to the deceased, and any receipt given by the committee shall have effect accordingly.

Section 159. Disposal of surplus by the prescribed person

On receipt of the surplus referred to in sub-section (6) of section 158 the prescribed person shall proceed as follows:__

(1) If he knows of a representative, widow or next of kin of the deceased he shall pay the surplus to that representative, widow or next of kin;

(2) If he does not know of any such representative, widow or next of kin he shall publish every year a notice in the prescribed form and manner for six consecutive years. If no claim to the surplus is made by a representative, widow or next of kin of the deceased within six months after the publication of the last of such notices, the prescribed person shall deposit surplus together with any income or accumulation of income accrued therefrom to the credit of the 1[Federal Government]:

Provided that such deposit shall not bar the claim of any person to such surplus or any part thereof.

Section 160. Disposal of certain property without production of probate, etc

Property deliverable and money payable to the representative, widow or next of kin of a deceased officer under section 158 or section 159 may, if the total value thereof does not exceed two thousand rupees, and if the prescribed person thinks fit, be delivered or paid to any one of them who appears to him to be entitled to receive it or to administer the estate of the deceased, without requiring the production of any probate, letters of administration, succession certificate or other such conclusive evidence of title 2[:] 2[Provided that when the deceased officer was attached to, or formed part of, a force which was not on active service the commanding officer shall obtain from the representative, widow or next of kin of the deceased to whom the amount as aforesaid is paid an undertaking to the effect that the amount left after payment of debts, if any, shall be distributed among the legal heirs of the deceased.]

Section 161. Discharge of committee, prescribed person and the Government

Any payment of money or delivery, application, sale or other disposition of any property made, or in good faith purported to be made, by the committee or the prescribed person in pursuance of section 158, section 159 or section 160 shall be valid shall be a full discharge to those ordering or making the same and to the Government from all further liability in respect of the property or money; but nothing in this section shall affect the rights of any executor or administrator or other representative, or of any creditor of the deceased officer against any person to whom such delivery or payment has been made.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

2Subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1992 (28 of 1992), s. 6.

Section 162. Property in the hands of the committee or the prescribed person not to be assets at the place where the committee or the prescribed person is stationed

Any property coming under section 158 into the hands of the committee or the prescribed person shall not, by reason of so coming, be deemed to be assets or effects at the place in which that committee or prescribed person is stationed and it shall not be necessary by reason thereof that representation be taken out in respect of that property for that place.

Section 163. Saving of rights of representative

After the committee has deposited with the prescribed person the surplus of the property of any deceased officer under sub-section (6) of section 158 any representative of the deceased shall, as regards any property not collected by the committee and not forming part of the aforesaid surplus, have the same rights and duties as if section 158 had not been enacted.

Section 164. Applications of sections 158 to 163 to lunatics, etc

The provisions of sections 158 to 163 shall so far as they can be made applicable apply in the case of an officer who, notwithstanding anything contained in the Lunacy Act, 1912 (IV of 1912) is ascertained in the prescribed manner, to be insane or who, being on active service is officially reported missing, as if he had died on the day on which his insanity is so ascertained or, as the case may be, on the day on which he is officially reported missing:

Provided that, in the case of an officer so reported missing, no action shall be taken under sub- sections (2) to (5) of section 158 until such time as he is officially presumed to be dead.

Section 165. Appointment of standing committee of adjustment when officers die or desert while on active service

When an officer dies or deserts while on active service, the references in the foregoing sections of this Chapter to the committee shall be construed as references to the Standing Committee of Adjustment, if any, appointed in this behalf in the manner prescribed.

Section 166. Interpretations

For the purposes of this Chapter:__

(1) a person shall be deemed to be a deserter if he without authority has been absent from duty for a period of 1[Thirty days] and has not subsequently surrendered or been apprehended;

(2) the expression “regimental and other debts in camp or quarters” includes money due as military debts, namely, sums due in respect of, or of any advance in respect of__

(a) quarters;

(b) mess, band and other regimental accounts;

(c) military clothing, appointments and equipment, not exceeding a sum equal to six months, pay of the deceased and having become due within eighteen months before his death;

(3) “representation” includes probate and letters of administration with or without the will annexed, and a succession certificate, constituting a person the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased person or authorising him to receive or realize the assets of a deceased person;

(4) “representative” means any person who has taken out representation.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 30, for “sixty days”.

CHAPTER XIV

MISCELLANEOUS PRIVILEGES

Section 167. Complaint against officers

(1) Any person subject to this Act, other than an officer, who deems himself wronged by any superior or other officer, may, if not attached to a unit, troop or company, complain to the officer under whose command or orders he is serving; and may if attached to a unit, troop or company, complain to the officer commanding the same.

(2) When the officer complained against is the officer to whom any complaint should, under sub-section (1), be preferred the aggrieved person may complain to such officer’s next superior officer.

(3) Every officer receiving such complaint shall examine into it for giving full redress to the complainant or, when necessary refer it to superior authority.

(4) Every such complaint shall be preferred in such manner and through such channels as may from time to time be specified by proper authority.

(5) The 1[Federal Government] may revise any decision by the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] under sub-section (2), but otherwise the decision of the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] shall be final.

Section 168. Complaint by officers

Any officer who deems himself wronged by his commanding officer or any superior officer and who, on due application made to his commanding officer, does not receive the redress to which he considers himself entitled, may complain to the 1[Federal Government] in such manner and through such channels as may from time to time be specified by proper authority.

Section 169. Privileges of person attending courts martial

(1) No president or member of a court martial, no Judge Advocate, no party to any proceedings before a court martial, or his legal practitioner or agent, and no witness acting in obedience to a summons or order to attend a court martial shall, while proceeding to, attending, or returning from, a court martial, be liable to arrest under civil or revenue process.

(2) If any such person is arrested under any such process, he shall be discharged by order of the court martial.

Section 170. Exemption from arrest for debt

(1) No person subject to this Act shall, so long as he belongs to the Pakistan Army, be liable to be arrested for debt under any process issued by, or by the authority of, any civil or revenue court or revenue officer.

(2) The judge of any such court or the said officer shall examine into any complaint made by any such person or his superior officer of the arrest of such person contrary to the provisions of this section, and shall, by warrant under his hand, discharge the person, and award reasonable costs to the complainant, who may recover those costs in like manner as he might have recovered costs awarded to him by a decree against the person obtaining the process.

(3) For the recovery of such costs no court fee shall be payable by the complainant.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

Section 171. Property exempted from attachment

Neither the arms, clothes, equipment, accoutrement or necessaries of any person subject to this Act, nor any animal used by him for the discharge of his duty, shall be seized, nor shall the pay and allowances of any such person or any part thereof be attached, by direction of any civil or revenue court or any revenue officer, in satisfaction of any decree or order enforceable against him.

Section 172. Application of the last two foregoing sections to reservists

Every person belonging to any of the categories of the Reserves of the Pakistan Army constituted under the Pakistan (Army and Air Force) Reserves Act, 1950 (XLVII of 1950), shall, when called out or engaged upon returning from, training or service, be entitled to all the privileges accorded by sections 170 and 171 to a person subject to this Act.

Section 173. Priority of hearing by courts of cases in which persons subject to this Act are concerned

(1) On the presentation to any court by or on behalf of any person subject to this Act of a certificate from the proper authority, that leave of absence has been granted to him or has been applied for by him for the purpose of prosecuting or defending any suit or other proceeding in such court, the court shall, on the application of such person, arrange as far as may be possible, for the hearing and final disposal of such suit or other proceeding within the period of leave so granted or applied for.

(2) The certificate from the proper authority shall state the first and the last day of leave or intended leave, and shall set forth a description of the case with respect to which the leave was granted or applied for.

(3) No fee shall be payable to the court in respect of the presentation of any such certificate, or in respect of any application by or on behalf of any such person for priority for the hearing of his

case.

(4) Where the court is unable to arrange for the hearing and final disposal of the suit or other proceeding within the period of such leave or intended leave as aforesaid, it shall record its reasons for such inability and shall cause a copy thereof to be furnished to such person on his application without any payment whatever by him in respect of the application for such copy or of the copy itself or otherwise.

(5) If in any case a question arises as to the proper authority qualified to grant such certificate as aforesaid such question shall be at once referred by the court to the officer commanding the corps or unit concerned, whose decision shall be final.

Section 174. Order for custody and disposal of property pending trial in certain cases

When any property regarding which any offence appears to have been committed, or which appears to have been used for the commission of any offence, is produced before a court martial during a trial, the court may make such order as it thinks fit for the proper custody of such property pending the conclusion of the trial and, if the property is subject to speedy or natural decay, may, after recording such evidence as it thinks necessary, order it to be sold or otherwise disposed of.

Section 175. Order for disposal of property regarding which offence committed

(1) After the conclusion of a trial before a court martial, the court or the officer confirming the finding or sentence of such court martial, or any authority superior to such officer, or, in the case of the trial by summary

(2) Where any order has been made under sub-section (1) in respect of property regarding which an offence appears to have been committed, a copy of such order signed and certified by the authority making the same may, whether the trial was held within Pakistan or not, be sent to a magistrate in any district in which such property for the time being is, and such magistrate shall thereupon cause the order to be carried into effect as if it was an order passed by such magistrate under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898). Explanation.__ In this section the term “property” includes in the case of property regarding which an offence appears to have been committed, not only such property as has been originally in the possession on under the control of any person, but also any property into or for which the same may have been converted or exchanged, and anything acquired by such conversion or exchange whether immediately or otherwise.

[2] Section 175A. Military, civil awards and decorations

The Federal Government may confer combat, non-combat, meritorious service awards, or any other awards or decorations, on serving personnel, war wounded personnel or families of Shuhada, for outstanding contributions and performance, participation or specific achievements.

Section 175B. Service awards

The Pakistan Army may, in the prescribed manner, confer service awards on serving personnel, war wounded personnel, families of Shuhada on the basis of performance, participation, rank specific achievements or otherwise:

Provided that all such activities already undertaken shall always be deemed to have been validly done under this Act.

Section 175C. Welfare and rehabilitation

The Pakistan Army may, in the manner as may be prescribed, carry out activities for the purpose of welfare and rehabilitation of serving, retired or wounded personnel as well as families of Shuhada:

Provided that all such activities already undertaken shall always be deemed to have been validly done under this Act.

Section 175D. Welfare through affiliated entities

The Pakistan Army may, in the manner as may be prescribed through its affiliated entities, carry out activities that relate to or generate proceeds for, inter alia, welfare and rehabilitation of serving and retired personnel of Pakistan Army, wounded personnel, as well as families of Shuhada:

Provided that all such activities already undertaken shall always be deemed to have been validly done under this Act.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act 1963 (9 of 1963), s. 5, for “an officer not below the rank of brigadier empowered in this behalf by the Commander-in-Chief”.

2Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.13.

Section 175E. National development

The Pakistan Army may, upon direction or with the concurrence of relevant authorities of the appropriate government in the prescribed manner, directly or indirectly, carry out activities related to, inter alia, national development and advancement of national or strategic interest:

Provided that all such activities already undertaken shall be deemed to be and always to have been validly done under this Act. Explanation.— “appropriate government” means the Federal Government or Provincial Government as the case may be.]

CHAPTER XV

RULES

Section 176. Powers to make rules

(1) The 1[Federal Government] may make rules 2for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred by sub-section (1), such rules may provide for__

(a) the 3[appointment, reappointment, 4[retention] or extension] retirement, release, 4[resignation,] discharge, removal or dismissal from the service of persons subject to this Act 3[, including the 5[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] 5[and the Commander of the National Strategic Command, except a Field Marshal to whom the provisions of Article 243 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan shall apply to the extent of any inconsistency]];

(b) the specification of punishments which may be awarded as field punishments under sections 23 and 61;

(c) the assembly and procedure of Courts of inquiry 6[the recording of summaries of evidence and the abstracts of evidence] and the administration of oaths and affirmations by such courts;

(d) the convening and constitution of courts martial 7[and the Court of Appeals] ;

(e) the adjournment, dissolution and sittings of courts martial 7[and the Court of Appeals];

(f) the procedure to be observed in trials by courts martial 8[and the Court of Appeals], and the qualifications of legal practitioners who appear thereat;

(g) the confirmation, revision and annulment of, and petitions against, the findings and sentences of courts martial;

(h) the carrying into effect of sentences of courts martial 7[and the Court of Appeals];

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army, (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

2For the Pakistan Army Act Rules, 1954, see Gaz. of Pak., 1955, Ext., pp. 251-388.

3Added By Act I of 2020, s.4...(w.e.f. 27-11-2019.)

4Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.14.

5Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, ss.2 & 9.

6Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (15 of 1965), s. 5.

7Added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s, 26.

8Ins. ibid.

(j) the constitution of authorities to decide for what persons, to what amounts and in what manner provision should be made for dependents under section 71 and the due carrying out of such decisions;

(k) the relative rank of, and powers of command to be exercised by, officers, junior commissioned officers, warrant officers, petty officers and non-commissioned officers of the Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force, when acting together;

(l) deductions on account of public and regimental debts from the pay and allowances of persons subject to this Act; 2[*] 2[(la) the activities related to welfare and rehabilitation of retired and serving Army personnel, wounded personnel and families of Shuhada; and

(lb) the activities connected with or resulting in public utility, national development, disaster relief, advancement of national or strategic interests; and]

(m) any matter in this Act directed to be prescribed.

(3) All rules made under this Act shall be published in the official Gazette and, on such publication shall have effect as if enacted in this Act.

[3] Section 176A. Power to make regulations

The 4[Federal Government] may make regulations for the governance, command, discipline, recruitment, terms and conditions of service, rank, precedence, and administration of the Pakistan Army 5[including, appointment, reappointment, extension or retirement of the 6[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] 6[and the Commander of the National Strategic Command, except a Field Marshal to whom the provisions of Article 243 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan shall apply to the extent of any inconsistency]] and generally for all or any of the purposes of this Act 2[* * *]. 2[176AA*. Power to issue instructions.– The 6[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] may, from time to time, make and issue instructions for carrying into effect the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations made thereunder:

Provided that all such instructions already made and issued shall always be deemed to have been validly made and issued under this Act.]

[7] Section 176B. Reference to Commander-in-Chief in other Laws

Reference in any law, and in any rule, regulation, bye-law, notification, order, warrant, bond, document or other instrument made or issued under any law, to the “Commander-in-Chief” in relation to the Pakistan Army shall be construed as reference to the 6[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces].

1Ins. and subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s.26.

2Omitted and ins. by Act LXII of 2023, ss.14-16. (*newly inserted section 176AA appears as 176A in Gazette notification) 3New section 176A ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (15 of 1965), s. 6

4Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3., for “Central Government”.

5Added by Act I of 2020, s.5 (w.e.f. 27-11-2019.)

6Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, ss. 2 & 10.

7Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 32.

Section 176C. Delegation of powers of the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces]

1[(1) The Federal Government may, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces and by order in writing, authorise the officer appointed as Vice Chief of the Army Staff or Deputy Chief of the Army Staff to exercise and perform such of the powers and functions vested in the Chief of the Army Staff under any law, rules, regulations, orders or instructions for the time being in force as may be so specified]

(2) 2[The Vice 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or, as the case may be, the] Deputy 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] shall exercise the powers and perform the functions conferred upon him under sub-section (1) in accordance with such general or special direction as may be given in that behalf by the Federal Government 1[, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces]. 3[(3) The 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] may delegate any of his powers and functions conferred by, or delegated under, this Act to any officer or authority subordinate to him.]

[3] Section 176D. Validation

On commencement of the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 2023 ( of

2023) and notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, all rules, regulations, instructions and orders issued and actions taken in purported exercise thereof, from time to time, shall always be deemed to have been validly issued, made, taken or done under this Act and shall not be called in question on any ground whatsoever.]

[3] Section 176E. Overriding effect

The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent contained in any other law, rules or regulations for the time being in force and such law, rules or regulations shall, to the extent of any inconsistency, cease to have effect.]

177. [Repeals.] Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. Chapter XVI. [Transitory Provisions] Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 33. [The Schedule].__ Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. II.

Date: 19-11-2025 7033052

1Subs. and ins. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, ss.2 & 11.

2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1980 (37 of 1980), s. 2, (w.e.f. 1-5-1980)

3Subs. and ins. by Act LXII of 2023, ss.17-19.

Print contents from the source

CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title and commencement
1A. Raising and maintaining the Army
2. Persons subject to the Act
2A. Secondment to Navy or Air Force
2B. Secondment of other Armed Forces
2C. Protection to Witnesses, President, Members of the Court, Defending Officers, Prosecutors and
persons concerned with court proceedings
3. Special provision as to rank in certain cases
4. Commanding officer of certain persons subject to the Act
5. Powers to apply Act to certain forces under the Federal Government
6. Application of Act to States forces by Order of the President
7. Power to declare persons to be on active service
8. Definitions
CHAPTER 1A
APPOINTMENT OF THE CHIEF OF THE ARMY STAFF CONCURRENTLY THE CHIEF
OF THE DEFENSE FORCES AND THE COMMANDER OF THE NATIONAL
STRATEGIC COMMAND
8A. Appointment of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces

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8B. Reappointment and/or extension of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the
Defense Forces
8C. Retirement age and service limits of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the
Defense Forces
8D. Appointment of the Commander of the National Strategic Command
8E. Reappointment and/or extension of the Commander of the National Strategic Command
8F. Retirement age, service limits of the Commander of the National Strategic Command
8G. Abolishment of the office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
CHAPTER II
APPOINTMENT, ENROLEMENT AND ATTESTATION
9. Appointment to warrant rank
9A [Omitted]
10. Ineligibility for commissioning or attestation
11. Procedure before enrolling officer
12. Enrolment
13. Presumption of validity of enrolment in certain cases
14. Persons to be attested
15. Mode of attestation
15A [Omitted]
CHAPTER III
TERMINATION OF SERVICE
16. Dismissal or removal by Federal Government
17. Dismissal or removal by Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces
or other authorised officer
18. Retirement, resignation, release, or discharge
19. Certificate on termination of service
20. Discharge or dismissal when out of Pakistan

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CHAPTER IV
SUMMARY REDUCTION AND PUNISHMENT OTHERWISE THAN BY SENTENCE OF
COURT MARTIAL
21. Reduction of warrant officers and non-commissioned officers
22. Reversion of an acting non-commissioned officer
23. Minor punishments
CHAPTER V
OFFENCES
24. Offences in relation to enemy and punishable with death
25. Offences in relation to the enemy and not punishable with death
26. Disclosure of parole or watchword
26A Unauthorised disclosure
26B Political activity
27. Offences against property or persons of inhabitant of country where serving
28. Offences relating to sentries
29. House breaking, false alarms, unauthorized disclosures, punishable more severely on active
service than at other times
30. Other service offences
31. Mutiny and insubordination
32. Offences in relation to superior officers
33. Disobedience of lawful command
34. Neglect to obey orders
35. Insubordination and obstruction
36. Desertion and aiding deserters
37. Absence without leave
38. Fraudulent enrolment
39. False answers on enrolment
40. Fraudulent offence in respect of property
41. Certain forms of disgraceful conduct

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42. Illegal gratification
43. Intoxication
44. Offences in relation to persons in custody
45. Loss of arms, etc., and destruction of property
46. False accusation
47. False documents
48. Signing in blank and failure to report
49. Offences in relation to courts martial
50. False statement before court martial
51. Irregular confinement
52. Unbecoming behavior
53. Striking or ill-treating person subject to the Act
54. Unlawful detention of pay
55. Violation of good order and discipline
55A Conflict of interest
55B Electronic crimes
55C Defamation
56. Offences relating to aircraft
57. Attempt
58. Abetment
59. Civil offences
CHAPTER VI
PUNISHMENT
60. Punishments
61. Field punishment
62. Special provisions regarding sentences
63. Retention in the ranks of person convicted on active service

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CHAPTER VII
PENAL DEDUCTIONS
64. Authorized deductions only to be made from pay
65. Deductions from pay and allowances
66. Pay and allowances during trial
67. Deduction from public money due, other than pay
68. Power to withhold pay and allowances pending inquiry into conduct as prisoner of war
69. Remission of deductions
70. Provision for dependents of prisoner of war from remitted deductions
71. General power to make provision for dependents
72. Period during which a person is deemed to be a prisoner of war
CHAPTER VIII.
ARREST AND PROCEEDINGS BEFORE TRIAL
73. Custody of offenders
74. Duty of commanding officer in regard to person in custody
75. Interval between committal and court martial
76. Arrest by civil authorities
77. Capture of deserters
78. Inquiry into absence of person subject to the Act
78A. Inquiry into any other provost marshals
Provost Marshals
79. Appointment, duties and powers of provost marshals
CHAPTER IX
COURTS MARTIAL
CONSTITUTION, JURISDICTION AND POWERS OF COURTS MARTIAL
80. Kinds of courts martial
81. Power to convene general courts martial
82. Power to convene district courts martial

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83. Limitation of powers of convening authorities
84. Power to convene field general Court martial
85. Composition of general Court martial
86. Composition of district Court martial
87. Composition of field general Court martial
88. Summary courts martial
89. Dissolution of courts martial
90. Prohibition of second trial
91. Period of limitation for trial
92. Liability of offender who ceases to be subject to the Act
93. Place of trial
94. Order in case of concurrent jurisdiction of court martial and criminal court
95. Power of criminal court to require delivery of offender
96. Trial by court martial, bar to subsequent trial by criminal court
96A. Definition of court martial
97. Powers of general and field general courts martial
98. Power of district courts martial
99. Offences triable by summary Court martial
100. Persons triable by summary Court martial
101. Sentence awardable by summary Court martial
102. President
102A. Religion of confirming officer, president, judge advocate and members of general, district or
field general court martial
103. Judge advocate
104. Challenges
105. Voting of members
106. Oaths of president and members

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107. Oaths of judge advocate and others
108. Oaths of witnesses
108A Affirmation not allowed in the case of Muslim
109. Summoning witnesses and production of documents
110. Commission for the examination of witness
111. Conviction of one offence permissible on charge of another
112. Rules of evidence to be the same as in criminal courts
113. Judicial notice
114. Presumption as to signatures
115. Enrolment paper
116. Presumption as to certain documents
117. Reference by accused to Government officer
118. Evidence of previous convictions and general character
CHAPTER X
CONFIRMATION AND REVISION OF FINDING AND SENTENCES
119. Finding and sentence not valid unless confirmed
120. Power to confirm finding and sentence of general Court martial
121. Power to confirm finding and sentence of district Court martial
122. Limitation of powers of confirming authority
123. Power to confirm finding and sentence of field general court martial
124. Power of confirming authority to mitigate, remit or commute sentences
125. Confirmation of finding and sentence on board a ship
126. Revision of finding and sentence
127. Finding and sentence of a summary court martial
128. Transmission of proceedings of a summary court martial
129. Substitution of a valid finding or sentence for an invalid finding or sentence
130. Provision in the case of accused being lunatic

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131. Remedy against finding and sentence of Court martial
132. Annulment of proceedings
133. Bar of appeals
133A. Court of appeals for hadd cases
133B. Court of Appeals for other cases
CHAPTER XI
EXECUTION OF SENTENCES
134. Form of sentence of stoning to death or death
134A. Form of sentence of amputation of hand, foot or both or whipping
135. Commencement of sentence of imprisonment or imprisonment or detention
136. Execution of sentence of imprisonment for life or imprisonment
137. Execution of sentence of imprisonment in special cases
138. Execution of sentence of detention
139. Interim custody of offenders sentenced to transportation [omitted]
140. Conveyance of prisoner from place to place
141. Communication of certain orders to civil prison officers
142. Execution of sentence of fine
CHAPTER XII
PARDONS, REMISSIONS AND SUSPENSION
143. Pardons and remissions
144. Suspension of sentence of transportation, imprisonment, whipping or detention
145. Orders pending suspension
146. Release on suspension
147. Computation of period of sentence under suspension
148. Power to set aside suspension or to order remission
149. Periodical review of suspended sentence
150. Procedure on further sentence of offender whose sentence is suspended
151. Scope of power of suspension

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152. Effect of suspension on dismissal
CHAPTER XIII
PROPERTY OF DECEASED PERSONS, DESERTERS AND LUNATICS
153. Property of deceased persons and deserters, other than officers
154. Disposal of certain property without production of probate, etc.
155. Discharge of commanding officer prescribed person and the Government
156. Application of sections 153 to 155 to lunatics, etc.
157. Property of officers
158. Powers of Committee of Adjustment
159. Disposal of surplus by the prescribed person
160. Disposal of certain property without production of probate, etc.
161. Discharge of committee, prescribed person, and the Government
162. Property in the hands of the committee or the prescribed person not to be assets at the place
where the committee or the prescribed person is stationed
163. Saving of rights of representative
164. Applications of sections 158 to 163 to lunatics, etc.
165. Appointment of standing committee of adjustment when officers die or desert while on active
service
166. Interpretations
CHAPTER XIV
MISCELLANEOUS PRIVILEGES
167. Complaint against officers
168. Complaint by officers
169. Privileges of person attending courts martial
170. Exemption from arrest for debt
171. Property exempted from attachment
172. Application of the last two foregoing sections to reservists
173. Priority of hearing by courts of cases in which persons subject to this Act are concerned
174. Order for custody and disposal of property pending trial in certain cases

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175. Order for disposal of property regarding which offence committed
175A. Military, civil awards and decorations
175B. Service awards
175C. Welfare and rehabilitation
175D. Welfare through affiliated entities
175E. National development
CHAPTER XV
RULES
176. Power to make rules
176A Power to make regulations
176AA. Power to issue instructions
176B Reference to Commander-in-Chief in other Laws
176C Delegation of powers of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense
Forces
176D Validation
176E Overriding effect
177. [Omitted]

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Exact source transcription retained, including print layout and extraction artifacts. Text SHA-256: 0009609fbb1b0ca95b49209c6c92dddee00acf176ff13375b76ac79d3da7df8e.

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THE PAKISTAN ARMY ACT, 1952

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CHAPTER XVI
[Omitted]

THE SCHEDULE
[Omitted]

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THE PAKISTAN ARMY ACT, 1952
1ACT No. XXXIX OF 1952
[13th May, 1952]
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the Pakistan Army.
WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate and amend the law relating to the Pakistan Army; It
is hereby enacted as follows:__
CHAPTER I.__ PRELIMINARY
1. Short title and commencement.__ (1) This Act may be called the Pakistan Army Act,
1952.
(2) It shall come into force on such date2 as the 3[Federal Government] may, by notification
in the Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf.
4[1A. Raising and maintaining the Army. — (1) Subject to the provisions of the
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President shall raise and maintain the Pakistan
Army and its reserves in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the rules, regulations and
instructions made and issued, thereunder.
(2) Subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan the
control and command of the Army shall rest with the Federal Government and its administration shall
vest in the 5[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces].
(3) Subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the
President shall grant commission in the Pakistan Army in accordance with the provisions of this Act
and the rules, regulations and instructions made and issued thereunder.
(4) Personnel of the Pakistan Army shall consist of such officers, soldiers and other staff
members as may be prescribed.

1For Statement of Object and Reasons, see Gaz. of P., (1951 Pt. V, dated the 23rd November 1951, P. 71; and for Report of Select Committee, see ibid.
1952. Ext., pp. 347-400.
The Act has been extended to Khairpur State, by the Khairpur (Federal Laws) Extension) Order, 1953 (G.G.O. 5 of 1953).
It has been extended to the Baluchistan States Union by the Baluchistan States Union (Federal Laws) (Extension) Order, 1953 (G.G .O. 4 of 1953), as
amended.
The Act has been and shall be deemed always to have been applied to Baluchistan and the Federated Areas of Baluchistan with effect from the 1st April,
1955, see Gaz. of P., 1955, see Gaz. of P., 1955. Pt. I p. 204.
The Act has been extended to the whole of Pakistan by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3, and 2nd Sch. (with effect
from the 14th October, 1955).
The Act has been and shall be deemed to have been brought into force in Gwadur with effect from the 8th September, 1958, by the Gwadur (Application
of Central Laws) Ordinance, 1960 (37 of 1960), s. 2.
The Act, rules, notifins, and orders made under it, have been applied to the Tribal Areas or to the part of those areas to which they have not been already
applied, see the Tribal Areas (Application of Acts) Reason 1965. Gaz. of P. 1965., Ext., pp 1016-1018.
The Provisions of this Act and rules made thereunder have been applied in their application to non-commissioned officer and men of the Pakistan Mujahid
Force. When embodied for or otherwise undergoing training with certain modification specified in Sch. II to rule 12 of the Pakistan Mujahid Force Rules,
1965, see Gaz. of P., 1965, Ext., pp. 1105-1107.
2The 1st day of April, 1955, see Gaz. of P., 1955, Ext. p. 389.
3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
4 Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.2.
5Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s. 2.

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(5) The selection, recruitment, qualifications, salary, allowances, discipline, training,
administration and other terms and conditions of service in respect of personnel of the Pakistan Army
under sub-section (4) shall be such as may be prescribed.]
2. Persons subject to the Act. __ (1) The following persons shall be subject to this Act,
namely :__
1[(a) officers, soldiers and others of the Pakistan Army;]
2[(b) persons enrolled under the Indian Army Act, 1911, before the date notified in
pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 1, and s erving with the Pakistan Army
immediately before that date, and persons enrolled under this Act;]
3[(bb) persons subject to the 4[Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961], or the Pakistan Air
Force Act, 1953, when seconded for service with the Pakistan Army, to suc h
extent and subject to such regulations as the 5[Federal Government] may direct;]
(c) persons not otherwise subject to this Act, who, on active service, in camp, on
the march, or at any frontier post specified by the 5[Federal Government] by
notification in this behalf, are employed by, or are in the service of or are
followers of, or accompany any portion of the Pakistan Army 6[;]
6[(d) persons not otherwise subject to this Act who are accused of__
(i) seducing or attempting to seduce any person subject to this Act from his
duty or allegiance to Government, or
(ii) having committed, in relation to any work of defence , arsenal, naval,
military or air force establishment or station, ship or aircraft or otherwise
in relation to the naval, military or air force affairs of Pakistan, an
offence under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 7[;]
7[(e) persons not otherwise subject to this Act who belonged to the former East
Pakistan Civil Armed Forces and were repatriated to Pakistan after the sixteenth
day of December, 1971.]
(2) Every person subject to this Act under clause (a) or clause (b) 7[or clause (e)] of sub -
section (1) shall remain so subject until duly retired, released, discharged, removed or dismissed from
the service.
8[(3) Every person subject to this Act under clause (bb) of sub -section (1) shall remain so
subject during the period of his secondment to the Pakistan Army.]

1Subs. by Act LXII of 2023, s.3.
2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 2, for the original clause (b) (with effect from the 1st April, 1952).
3Clause (bb) ins. by ibid.
4Subs. by the Repealing and Amending Ordinance, 1965 (10 of 1965), s. 3, and 2nd Sch., for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934 (XXXIV of
1934)”.
5Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
6Subs. and added by the Defence Services Laws Amendment Ordinance, 1967 (3 of 1967), s. 2.
7Subs., added and ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt) Act, 1975 (73 of 1975) s. 2.
8New sub-section (3) added by the Pakistan Army (amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 2 (with effect from the 1st April, 1952).

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1[2A. Secondment to Navy or Air Force . The 2[Federal Government] may by order in
writing direct that any person 3[* * *] 4[referred to in clause (a), clause (b) or clause (c)] of sub-section
(1) of section 2 shall, under such conditions as may be laid down by regulation s, be seconded for
service with the Pakistan Navy or the Pakistan Air Force.]
5[2B. Secondment to other armed forces .__ The Federal Government may by order in
writing direct that any person referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 2, other than a junior
commissioned officer or warrant officer, shall, under such conditions as may be laid down by
regulations, be seconded for service with any other armed forces raised or maintained by the Federal
Government, including civil armed forces.]
6[2C. Protection to Witnesses, President, Members of the Court, Defending Officers,
Prosecutors and persons concerned with court proceedings.__ The convening authority or the court
constituted under this Act may, make such orders or take such measures, like sitting in camera, not
publishing the names of court officials etc., as it deems fit, within available resources, for the protection
of witnesses, President, members, prosecutors, defending officers and other persons concerned in court
proceeding for an offence under this Act, as may be prescribed.]
3. Special provision as to rank in certain cases. __ (1) The 2[Federal Government] may,
by notification, direct that any person or class of persons subject to this Act under clause (c) 7[or clause
(d)] of sub-section (1) of section 2 shall be so subject as officers, junior commissioned officers, warrant
officers or non -commissioned officers, and may a uthorise any officer to give a like direction with
respect to any such person or to cancel such direction.
(2) All persons subject to this Act other than officers, junior commissioned officers,
warrant officers or non -commissioned officers shall, if they are not persons in respect of whom a
notification or direction under sub-section (1) is in force, be deemed to be of a rank inferior to that of
a non-commissioned officer.
4. Commanding officer of certain persons subject to the Act. Every person subject to
the Act under clause (c) of sub -section (1) of section 2 shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed
to be under the command of the commanding officer of the corps, unit or detachment (if any) to which
he is attached, and if he is not so attached, then he shall be under the command of any officer who may
for the time being be named as his commanding officer by t he officer commanding the force with
which such person may for the time being be serving, or if no such officer is named, under the
command of the said officer commanding the force:
Provided that an officer commanding a force shall not place a person under the command of
an officer of rank inferior to that of such person, if there is present at the place where such person is
any officer of a higher rank under whose command he can be placed.

1Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 3.
2Subs. by the Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
3The words “belonging to the Army Medical Corps and” omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1959 (61 of 1959), s. 2 (with effect from the
1st April, 1955).
4Subs. by the Defence Service laws (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1967 (3 of 1967),s.2 for “subject to this Act otherwise the under clause (abb)”.
5Ins. by Act 73 of 1975, s. 3.
6Ins. and added by Act XIX of 2015, s. 2.
7Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 2

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5. Powers to apply Act to certain forces under the 1[Federal Government ].__ (1) The
1[Federal Government] may, by notification, apply all or any provisions of this Act to any force raised and
maintained in Pakistan under the authority of the 1[Federal Government 2[or a Provincial Government]].
(2) On such notification being made any provisions of this Act so applied shall have effect in
respect of persons belonging to any such force as they have effect in respect of persons subject to this Act
holding in the Pakistan Army the same rank as or equivalent to that which the aforesaid persons ho ld for
the time being in the said force ; and shall have effect in respect of persons who are employed by, or are in
the service of, or are followers of, or accompany any portion of any such force as they have effect in respect
of persons subject to this Act under clause (c) of subsection (1) of section 2.
(3) While any of the provisions of this Act apply to any such force, the 1[Federal Government]
may, by notification, direct by what authority any jurisdiction, powers or duties incident to the operation
of these provisions shall be exercised or performed in respect of that force, and may suspend the operation
of any other enactment for the time being applicable to that force.
6. Application of Act to States forces by Order of the President. The 3[President] may by
Order apply all or any provisions of this Act to any Land Forces of an Acceding State.
7. Power to declare persons to be on active service. Notwithstanding anything contained in
clause (1) of section 8, the 1[Federal Government] may, by notification, direct that any person or class of
persons subject to this Act shall, with reference to any area in which they may be serving or with reference
to all or any of the provisions of this Act or of any other law for the time being in force, he de emed to be
on active service within the meaning of this Act.
8. Definitions. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,__
(1) “active service”, as applied to a person subject to this Act, means the time during which
such person is attached to, or forms part of a force which is engaged in operations against an enemy, or is
engaged in military operations in, or is on the line of march to, a country or place wholly or partly occupied
by an enemy, or is attached to or forms part of a force which is in military occupation of a foreign country;
4[(1A) “affiliated entities” mean entities affiliated with or controlled by the Pakistan Army,
including but not limited to statutory bodies, trusts, foundations, organizations and other entities as
approved by Federal Government;]
5[(2) 6[“Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces”] means the officer
commanding the Pakistan Army 7[, duly appointed by the President, in accordance with Article 243 of the
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, read with section 8A.]
7[(2A) 6[* * * * * * *]]
(3) “Civil offence” means an offence which, if committed in Pakistan, would be triable by a
criminal court.]
(4) “Commanding Officer” means:__
(i) when used in any provision of this Act with reference to any separate portion of
the Pakistan Army, the officer whose duty it is under the regulations of the

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
2Added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1971 (13 of 1971), s. 2.
3Subs. by A.O., 1961, Art. 2 and Sch., for “Governor-General” (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956).
4Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.4.
5Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 3. for sub-section (2) and (3).
6Subs. & omitted by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, ss. 2 & 4.
7Ins. by Act I of 2020, s.2 (w.e.f. 27-11-2019.)

Page 15 of 70

Pakistan Army, or in the absence of such regulations by the custom of the service,
to discharge with respect to that portion, the functions of the commanding officer,
1[* * *]
(ii) when used in relation to a person subject to this Act, the officer for the time being
in command of any separate portion of the Pakistan Army 2[or of any unit of a
force] to which such person belongs or is attached 3[, and]
4[(iii) when used in relation to a person subject to this Act under clause (d) of sub- section
(1) of section 2, any staff officer of General Headquarters or a formation
Headquarters or an officer, not below the rank of field officer, within whose
jurisdiction the offence is alleged to have been committed or the person who is
alleged to have committed it resides or is found.]
5[(4A) “convening authority” mean an officer who is empowered to convene court martial under
this Act;]
(5) “corps” means any separate body of the Pakistan Army 2[or of any force] which is
prescribed as a corps for the purposes of all or any of the provisions of this Act ;
(6) “Court martial” means a Court martial held under this Act ;
(7) “Criminal Court” means a court of ordinary criminal justice in Pakistan, or established
elsewhere by the authority of the 6[Federal Government] ;
(8) “enemy” includes all armed mutineers, armed rebels, armed rioters, pirates and any person
in arms against whom it is the duty of any person subject to this Act to act ;
7[(8a) “Islamic law” means a law relating to the enforcement of Hudood;]
(9) “junior commissioned officer” means a person commissioned, gazetted or in pay as a junior
commissioned officer in the Pakistan Army;
8[(9a) “military custody” means the arrest or confinement of a person according to the usage of
the service and includes naval or air force custody;
(9b) “military reward” includes any gratuity or annuity for long service or good conduct, any
good service pay or pension, and any other military pecuniary award ;]
(10) “non-commissioned officer” means a persons attested under this Ac t who holds a non -
commissioned rank in the Pakistan Army 9[and includes an active non-commissioned officer];
(11) “offence” means any act or omission punishable under this Act and includes a civil offence
as hereinbefore defined;

10[(12) “officer” means a person, other than a junior commissioned officer, commissioned,
gazetted or in pay as an officer of the Pakistan Army and includes, in relation to a person subject to this Act
1Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 2.
2 Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 2.
3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 2, for semi colon.
4Added ibid., s. 2.
5Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.4.
6Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
7Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 2.
8New clauses (9a) and (9b) ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 4.
9Added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s.4.
10Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 3 which was previously subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1963 (9 of 1963), s. 2,
for the original clause (12), to read as above.

Page 16 of 70

when serving under such conditions as may be prescribed, an officer of the Pakistan Navy and an officer of the
Pakistan Air Force,].
(l3) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules 1[, regulations and instructions] made under this Act;
(14) “service” when used in relation to an institution, necessaries, books, band, mess, money, goods
or other property means an institution, necessaries, books, band, mess, money, goods or other property
belonging to, or connected with, the Pakistan Army or any unit or part thereof;
(15) “superior officer”. when used in relation to a person subject to this Act, 2[includes a junior
commissioned officer, a warrant officer] or a non -commissioned officer; and, as regards persons placed under
his orders, an officer, warrant officer, petty officer or non -commissioned officer of the Pakistan Navy or Air
Force;
(16) “warrant officer” means a person appointed, gazetted or in pay as a warrant officer of the
Pakistan Army 3[;]
4[(17) All words and expressions used but not defined in this Act and defined in the Pakistan Penal
Code (XLV of 1860) 5[or in any Islamic Law] shall be deemed to have the meanings assigned to them in that
Code 5[or, as the case may be, that law].
6[CHAPTER.__ 1A
APPOINTMENT OF THE 7[CHIEF OF THE ARMY STAFF CONCURRENTLY THE CHIEF OF
THE DEFENSE FORCES] AND THE 7[COMMANDER OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC
COMMAND]
8A. Appointment of the 7[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense
Forces].__ (1) The President shall, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint a General as the 7[Chief of the
Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces], for a tenure of 8[five (05)] years 7[:]
7[Provided that for the first appointment of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the
Defense Forces under paragraph (a) of clause (4) of Art icle 243 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of
Pakistan, the tenure under this section shall commence from the date of notification of the said office.
Explanation I.__ On issuance of notification of the first appointment of the Chief of the Army Staff
concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces under this sub-section, the existing tenure of the incumbent Chief
of the Army Staff shall be deemed to have recommenced from the date of such notification.
Explanation II.__ The provisions of sub -section shall mutatis mut andis apply where a General is
promoted as a Field Marshal.]
7[(2) The Federal Government shall determine the duties, functions and responsibilities of the Chief of
the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces including but not limited to his functions and
responsibilities regarding multi -domain integration, necessary restructuring and optimum jointness of the
Armed Forces.]
7[(3)] The terms and conditions of the 7[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense
Forces] shall be determined by the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister.

1Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.4.
2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958. (11 of 1958), s. 4. for “includes a warrant officer”.
3Subs. ibid, for full-stop.
4New clause (17) added ibid.
5Ins. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s.2.
6Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 2020 (1 of 2020), s. 3. (w.e.f 27-11-2019)
7Subs., added, ins. & re-numbered by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2, 3 & 5.
8Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2024, s.2-3.

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8B. Reappointment 1[and/or] extension of the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the
Chief of the Defense Forces].— (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law for
the time being in force, the President, on the advice of the Prime Minister, may reappoint the 1[Chief of the
Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ] for additional tenure of 2[five (05)] years, 1[*]
2[, and/or] extend the tenure(s) of the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense
Forces] up to 2[five (05)] years, on such terms and conditions, as may be determined by the President, on
the advice of the Prime Minister, in the national security interest or exigencies, from time to time 1[;]
1[Explanation:__ The provisions of sub -section shall mutatis mutandis apply where a General is
promoted as a Field Marshal.]
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law, or any order or judgment
of any Court, the appointment, reappointment or extension of the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concur rently
the Chief of the Defense Forces ], or the exercise of discretion by the appointing authority in this regard,
shall not be called into question before any Court on any ground whatsoever.
2[8C. Retirement age and service limits of the 1[Chief of the Ar my Staff concurrently the
Chief of the Defense Forces].— The retirement age and service limits prescribed for a General, under the
Rules and Regulations made under this Act, shall not be applicable to the 1[Chief of the Army Staff
concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ], during his tenure of appointment, re - appointment, and/or
extension. Throughout such tenure, the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense
Forces] shall continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army 1[;]]
1[Explanation:__ The provisions of Article 243 o f the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan applicable to a Field Marshal shall apply where a General is promoted to the said rank.]
1[8D. Appointment of the Commander of the National Strategic Command.__ (1) The Prime
Minister may, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense
Forces, appoint the Commander of the National Strategic Command, from amongst Generals in the
Pakistan Army, for a tenure of three (03) years.
(2) The terms and conditions of the Commander of the National Strategic Command shall be
determined by the Prime Minister.
8E. Reappointment and/or extension of the Commander of the National Strategic
Command.__ (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law for the time being in
force, the Prime Minister may, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the
Chief of the Defense Forces, reappoint the Commander of the National Strategic Command for additional
tenure of three (03) years and/or extend the tenure(s) of the Commander of the National Strategic Command
up to three (03) years, on such terms and conditions, as may be determined by the Prime Minister, in the
national security interest or exigencies, from time to time.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law, or any order or judgment of
any Court for the time being inforce, the appointment, reappointment or extension of the Commander of
the National Strategic Command, or the exercise of discretion by the appointing authority in this regard,
shall not be called into question before any Court on any ground whatsoever.
8F. Retirement age, service limits of the Commander of the National Strategic Command.__
The retirement age, service limits and removal prescribed for a General, under this Act and the rules and
regulations made hereunder, shall not be applicable to the Commander of the National Strategic Command,
during his tenure of appointment, reappointment, or extension. Throughout such tenure, the Commander
1Subs., omitted and ins. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, ss. 2, 6, 7 and 8.
2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2024, ss. 3-4

Page 18 of 70

of the National Strategic Command shall continue to serve as a General in the Pakistan Army.
8G. Abolishment of the Office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.__
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the office of the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
shall stand abolished with effect from the twenty-seventh day of November two thousand and twenty-five.]
CHAPTER II
APPOINTMENT, ENROLEMENT AND ATTESTATION
9. Appointment to warrant rank. The 1[President] may appoint any person as a warrant
officer.
9A. [Administration of oath to warrant officers. (Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976
(51 of 1976), s. 4].
2[10. Ineligibility for commissioning or attestation.__ A person who is not a citizen of Pakistan
or a dual national or under the age of eighteen years shall not be granted commission or attestation in the
Pakistan Army.]
11. Procedure before enrolling officer. Upon the appearance before the prescribed enrolling
officer of any person desirous of being enrolled, the enrolling officer shall read and explain to him, or cause
to be read and explained to him in his presence, the conditions of the service for which he is enrolled and
shall put to him the questions set forth in the prescribed form of enrolment and shall, after having cautioned
him that if he makes a false answer to any such question he will be liable to punishment under this Act,
record or cause to be recorded his answer to each such question.
12. Enrolment. If, after complying with the provisions of section 11, the enrolling officer is
satisfied that the person desirous of being enrolled understands the questions put to him and consents to
the conditions of service, and if the enrolling officer perceives no impediment, he shall sign and also cause
such person to sign the enrolment paper and the person shall thereupon be deemed to be enrolled.
13. Presumption of validity of enrolment in certain cases. Every person who has for the
space of three months been in receipt of military pay as a person enrolled under this Act and been borne on
the rolls of any corps or unit of the Pakistan Army shall be deemed to have been duly enrolled and shall
not be entitled to claim his discharge on the ground of any irregularity or illegality in his enrolment or on
any other ground whatsoever, and if any person, in receipt of such pay and borne on the rolls as aforesaid,
claims his discharge before the expiry of three months from his enrolment, no such irregularity or illegality
or other ground shall, until he is discharged in pursuance of his claim, affect his position as a person enrolled
under this Act or invalidate any proceedings, act or thing taken or done prior to his discharge.
14. Persons to be attested. The following persons shall be attested, namely:__
(a) all persons enrolled as combatants;
(b) all persons selected to hold a non-commissioned or acting non-commissioned rank;
(c) all other enrolled persons prescribed by the 3[Federal Government].

1Subs. by A.O., 1961, Art. 2, for “Governor-General” (with effect from the 23rd March, 1956).
2Subs. by Act LXII of 2023, s.5.
3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3 for “Central Government”.

Page 19 of 70

15. Mode of attestation.__ (1) When a person who is to be attested is reported fit for duty,
or has completed the prescribed period of probation, an oath or affirmation shall be administered to
him in the prescribed form by his commanding officer, in front of his corps or unit or such portion
thereof as may be present, or by any other prescribed person 1[:]
1[Provided that, if the person to be attested is a Muslim, this section shall have effect as if
reference therein to affirmation were omitted.];
2[(2) The form of oath or affirmation prescribed under this section shall contain a promise
that the person to be attested will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan and uphold the Constitution
of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan which embodies the will of the people, that he will not engage
himself in any political activities whatsoever and that he will honestly and faithfully serve Pakistan in
the Pakistan Army as required by or under the law, and that he will obey all commands of any officer
set over him, even to the peril of his life.]
(3) The fact that an enrolled person has taken the oath or affirmation directed by this section
shall be entered on his enrolment paper, and authenticated by the signature of the officer administering
the oath or affirmation.
15A. [Fresh oath to certain persons]. [Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51
of 1976), s. 6].
CHAPTER III
TERMINATION OF SERVICE
16. Dismissal or removal by Federal Government. The 3[Federal Government] may
dismiss or remove from the service any person subject to this Act.
17. Dismissal or removal by 4[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the
Defense Forces] or other authorised officer. __ (1) The 4[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the
Chief of the Defense Forces] may dismiss or remove from the service any junior commissioned officer,
or 5[non-commissioned], or any person enrolled under this Act.
(2) An officer having power 6[to convene a district court martial or an officer not below the
rank of lieutenant-colonel] empowered by the 4[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the
Defense Forces] in this behalf may dismiss or remove from the service any person enrolled under this
Act who may be serving under his command.
5[18. Retirement, resignation, release or discharge .__ The competent authority may, as
may be prescribed in this behalf, retire, release, accept or reject resignation of, or discharge from the
service, any person subject to this Act:
Provided that owing to exigencies, extraordinary circumstances, or if war is imminent or
existing, the Federal Government may retain compulsorily in service upto sixty years of age any person
with the recommendations of the 4[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense
Forces] and as prescribed in this Act or the rules, regulations or instructions made and issued
thereunder.]

1Subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 5.
2Subs. F.A.O. 1975, Art. 2, and Sch, for sub-section 2 and 3.
3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
4Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.
5Subs. by Act LXII of 2023, s.6-7.
6Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), section 3, for “not less than that of a brigade commander or any officer not below
the rank of brigadier”.

Page 20 of 70

19. Certificate on termination of service. Every junior commissioned officer, warrant officer,
or person enrolled under this Act, who is dismissed, removed, retired, released or discharged from the
service shall be furnished by his commanding officer with a certificate in the English language or such
other language as he understands, setting forth,__
(a) the authority who terminates his service;
(b) the cause for such termination;
(c) the full period of his service in the Pakistan Army.
20. Discharge or dismissal when out of Pakistan.__ (1) Any person subject to this Act, who
is entitled under the conditions of his service to be discharged, or whose discharge is ordered by competent
authority, and who, when he is so entitled or ordered to be discharged, is serving out of Pakistan, and
requests to be sent to Pakistan, shall, before being discharged, be sent to Pakistan with all convenient speed.
(2) Any person subject to this Act who is dismissed from the service and who, when he is so
dismissed is serving out of Pakistan shall be sent to Pakistan with all convenient speed.
(3) When any such person as is mentioned in sub -section (2) is sentenced to dismissal
combined with any other punishment, such other punishment, or in the case of a sentence of 1[imprisonment
for life or for a shorter term] a portion of such sentence may be inflicted before he is sent to Pakistan.
Explanation.__ For the purposes of this section, the word “discharge” shall include retirement or
release, and the word “dismissal” shall include removal.
CHAPTER IV
SUMMARY REDUCTION AND PUNISHMENT OTHERWISE THAN BY SENTENCE OF
COURT MARTIAL.
21. Reduction of warrant officers and non-commissioned officers.__ (1) The 2[Chief of the
Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] may reduce to a lower grade or class any warrant
officer.
(2) The 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or 3[an officer
having power to convene a district court martial or an officer not below the rank of lieutenant -colonel
empowered by the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] in this behalf]
may reduce to a lower grade or rank or to the ranks any non -commissioned officer who may be serving
under his command.
22. Reversion of an acting non-commissioned officer. The commanding officer of an acting
non-commissioned officer may order him to revert to his permanent grade as a non-commissioned officer
or, if he has no permanent grade above the ranks, to the ranks.
23. Minor punishments.__ (l) The 4[Federal Government] may, on the recommendation of the
2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ] prescribe the minor punishments
to which persons subject to this Act shall be liable without the intervention of court martial, and the officer
by whom, and the extent to which, such minor punishments may be awarded.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 7, for “transportation or imprisonment”.
2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.
3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 4, for original words.
4Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

Page 21 of 70

(2) Detention, or rigorous imprisonment in military custody, and, in the case of persons
subject to this Act on active service, any prescribed field punishment may be specified as minor
punishments:
Provided that__
(a) the term of such detention, rigorous imprisonment or field punishment shall not
exceed twenty-eight days, and
(b) such detention, rigorous imprisonment or field punishment shall not be awarded
to any person who is of or above the rank of non-commissioned officer, or who,
when he committed the offence in respect of which it is awarded, was of or
above such rank.
CHAPTER V
OFFENCES
24. Offences in relation to enemy and punishable with death. Any person subject to this
Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to say,__
(a) shamefully abandons or delivers up any garrison, fortress, airfield, place, post
or guard committed to his charge or which it is his duty to defend, or uses any
means to compel or induce any commanding officer or other person to do any
of the said act; or
(b) in the presence of any enemy, shamefully casts away his arms, ammunition,
tools or equipment, or misbehaves in such manner as to show cowardice; or
(c) intentionally uses words or any other means to compel or induce any person
subject to this Act, 1[* * *] 2[or the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953),]
or to the 3[Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961 ( XXXV of 1961)], to abstain from
acting against the enemy or to discourage such person from acting against the
enemy; or
(d) directly or indirectly, treacherously holds correspondence with, or
communicates intelligence to, the enemy or who coming to the kno wledge of
such correspondence or communication treacherously omits to discover it to his
commanding or other superior officer; or
(e) directly or indirectly assists or relieves the enemy with arms, ammunition,
equipment, supplies or money, or knowingly harbours or protects an enemy not
being a prisoner; or
(f) treacherously or through cowardice sends a flag of truce to the enemy; or
(g) in time of war, or during any operation, intentionally occasions a false alarm in
action, camp, garrison or quarter, or spreads reports Calculated to create alarm
or despondency; or

1Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3, and Sch. 2.
2Ins. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th October, 1955).
3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 5, for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934”.

Page 22 of 70

(h) in time of action, leaves his commanding officer, or quits his post, guard,
picquet, patrol or party without being regularly relieved or without leave; or
(i) having been made a prisoner of war, voluntarily serves with or aids the enemy;
or
(j) knowingly does when on active service any act calculated to imperil the success
of the Pakistan forces or any forces co-operating therewith or of any part of such
forces;
shall on conviction by court martial, be punished with death or with such less punishment as is
in this Act mentioned.
25. Offences in relation to the enemy and not punishable with death. Any person
subject to this Act who, on active service,__
(a) without orders from his superior officer leaves the ranks in order to secure
prisoners, animals or materials, or on pretence of taking wounded men to the
rear; or
(b) without orders from his superior officer, wilfully destroys or damages any
property; or
(c) is taken prisoner for want of due precaution or through disobedience of orders
a wilful neglect of duty, or, having been taken prisoner, fails to rejoin his service
when able to do so; or
(d) without due authority, either holds correspondence with, or communicates
intelligence, or sends a flag of truce, to the enemy; or
(e) by word of mouth, or in writing, or by signals, or otherwise spreads reports
calculated to create alarm or despondency; or
(f) in action, or previously to going into action, uses words calculated to create
alarm or despondency;
shall, on conviction by Court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to fourteen years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
26. Disclosure of parole or watchword. Any person subject to this Act who__
(a) treacherously makes known the parole, watch -word or countersign to any
person not entitled to receive it, or
(b) treacherously gives a parole, watchword or countersign different from what he
received,
shall, on conviction by court martial,
if he commits the offence on active service, be punished with death, or with such less
punishment as is in this Act mentioned, and

Page 23 of 70

1[if he commits such offence not on active service], be punished with rigorous imprisonment
for a term which may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
2[26A. Unauthorisd disclosure.— (1) If any person, who is or has been subject to this Act,
discloses or causes to be disclosed any information, acquired in official capacity, which is or may be
prejudicial to the security and interest of Pakistan or the Armed Forces of Pakistan, shall be guilty of
an offence, and on conviction by the court constituted under this Act, be punished with rigorous
imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years.
(2) Any disclosure made after seeking prior approval from the 3[Chief of the Army Staff
concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ], or any officer duly empowered by him, in the manner
prescribed, shall not be deemed as unauthorized disclosure under sub-section (1).
(3) The information disclosed in contravention of sub -section (1), if prejudicial to the
security and interest of Pakistan or the Armed Forces of Pakistan, shall be dealt with under section 59
of this Act, read with the Official Secrets Act, 1923 (XIX of 1923).
26B. Political activity.— (1) Any person, who is or has been subject to this Act, shall not
engage in political activity of any kind within a period of two years from the date of his retirement,
release, resignation, discharge, removal or dismissal from the service.
(2) A person, who is or has been subject to this Act and has remained posted, employed,
seconded, tasked or otherwise attached on sensitive duties, as prescribed under this Act, shall not take
part in political activity of any kind, during a period of five y ears from the date of his retirement,
release, resignation, discharge, removal or dismissal from the service.
(3) Whoever violates sub-sections (1) or (2) of this section shall, on conviction by the court
constituted under this Act, be punished with rigoro us imprisonment for a term, which may extend to
two years.]
27. Offences against property or persons of inhabitant of country where serving. Any
person subject to this Act who, on active service, commits any offence against the property or person
of any i nhabitant of, or resident in, the country in which he is serving shall, on conviction by court
martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years, or
with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
28. Offences relating to sentries. Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the
following offences, that is to say,__
(a) being a sentry, sleeps or is intoxicated on his post or quits it without leave; or
(b) being a sentry, or on guard, plunders, or wilfully destroys, or injures, any
property placed under his charge or under charge of his guard; or
(c) strikes, or force or attempts to force any sentry or safeguard; or
(d) without orders from his superior officer, leaves his guard, picquet, patrol or post;
shall, on conviction by court martial,

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 5, for “if he commits such offence on active service”.
2Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.8.
3Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

Page 24 of 70

if he commits such offence on active service, be punished with rigorous imprisonment which
may extend to fourteen years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and
if he commits such offence not on active service, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for
a term which may extend to five years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
29. House breaking, false alarms, unauthorised disclosures, punishable more severely
on active service than at other times. Any person subject to this Act who__
(a) breaks into any house or other place in search of plunder; or
(b) by any means whatever, intentionally occasions a false alarm; or
(c) without due authority, either verbally or in writing or by signals or otherwise
discloses the number or position of any of the Pakistan forces, or any part
thereof, or any preparation for, or orders relating to operations or movement of
such forces;
shall, on conviction, by court martial,
if he commits the offence on active service be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term
which may extend to fourteen years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned, or
if he commits the offence not on active service, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a
term which may extend to five years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
30. Other service offences. Any person subject to this Act who__
(a) by any means whatever, negligently occasions a false alarm; or
(b) makes known the parole, watchword, or countersign to any person not entitled
to receive it, or, without good and sufficient cause, gives a watchword, parole
or countersign different from what he received; or
(c) irregularly detains or appropriates to his own unit or detachment any provisions
or supplies proceeding to the forces, contrary to orders issued in that respect;
shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to three years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
31. Mutiny and insubordination. Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the
following offences, that is to say,__
(a) begins, incites, causes, or conspires with any other person to cause, or joins in,
any mutiny in the military, naval or air forces of Pakistan or any forces co-
operating therewith; or
(b) being present at any such mutiny, does not use his ut -most endeavours to
suppress the same; or
(c) knowing or having reason to believe in the existence of any such mutiny or any
intention to commit such mutiny, or of any such c onspiracy, does not without

Page 25 of 70

reasonable delay give information thereof to his commanding or other superior
officer; or
(d) attempts to seduce any person in the military, naval or air forces of Pakistan
from his duty or his allegiance to the Government of Pakistan;
shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with death or with such less punishment as
is in this Act mentioned.
32. Offences in relation to superior officers. __ (1) Any person subject to this Act who
uses or attempts to use criminal force to, or commits an assault on, his superior officer being in the
execution of his office, knowing or having reason to believe him to be such, shall, on conviction by
court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years,
or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
(2) Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to
say__
(a) uses or attempts to use criminal force to, or commits an assault on, his superior
officer, knowing or having reason to believe him to be such; or
(b) is grossly insubordinate or insolent to his superior officer, knowing or having
reason to believe him to be such; or
(c) impedes a provost marshal or any person lawfully acting on his behalf, or any
member of the service police, or when called upon, refuses to assist a provost
marshal or any person lawfully acting on his behalf or any member of the service
police in the execution of his duty,
shall, on conviction by court martial,
if he commits such offence on active service, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a
term which may extend to fourteen years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned;
and
if he commits such offence not on active service, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for
a term which may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
Explanation.__ For the purposes of sub -section (2), “provost ma rshal” shall be deemed to
include a provost marshal or any of his assistants appointed under 1[* * * ] the Pakistan Air Force
Act, 1953 (VI of 1953), or the 2[Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961 (XXXV of 1961)], and “service
police” shall be deemed to include members of the Air Force or the Naval Police, being persons subject
to the aforesaid Acts.
33. Disobedience of lawful command.__ (1) Any person subject to this Act who disobeys
in such a manner as to show a willful defiance of authority a lawful command given personally by his
superior officer, knowing or having reason to believe him to be such, shall, on conviction by court
martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years, or
with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

1Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. II.
2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 5, for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934”.

Page 26 of 70

(2) Any person subject to this Act who disobeys the lawful command of his superior
officer, knowing or having reason to believe him to be such, shall, on conviction by court martial,
if he commits such offence on active service, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a
term which may extend to fourteen years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned;
and
if he commits such offence not on active service, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for
a term which may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
34. Neglect to obey orders. __ Any person subject to this Act who neglects to obey any
standing or routine or other orders shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous
imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act
mentioned.
35. Insubordination and obstruction. Any person subject to this Act, who__
(a) being concerned in any quarrel, affray or disorder, refuses to obey any officer
though of inferior rank, who orders him into arrest, or uses criminal force to, or
assaults any such officer; or
(b) uses criminal force to or assaults any person, whether subject to this Act or not,
in whose custody he is lawfully placed, and whether he is or is not his superior
officer; or
(c) resists an escort whose duty it is to apprehend him or to have him in charge;
shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to two years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
36. Desertion and aiding deserters. __ (1) Any person subject to this Act who deserts or
attempts to desert the service shall, on conviction by court martial.
if he commits the offence when on active service or when under orders for active service, be
punished with death, or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and
if he commits the offence under any other circumstances, be punished 1[with rigorous
imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years] or with such less punishment as is in this Act
mentioned.
(2) Any person subject to this Act who knowingly harbours any deserter from any of the
military, naval or air forces of Pakistan shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous
imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with such less punishment as is in this
Act mentioned.
(3) any person subject to this Act who, being cognizant of any desertion, or attempt at
desertion, of any person belonging to the military, naval or air forces of Pakistan, does not forthwith
give notice to his own or some other superior officer, or does not take any steps in his power to cause

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 8.

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such person to be apprehended, shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous
imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with such less punishment as is in this
Act mentioned.
37. Absence without leave. Any person subject to this Act who,__
(a) absents himself without leave; or
(b) without sufficient cause overstays leave granted to him; or
(c) being on leave of absence and having received information from proper
authority that the corps or unit or detachment or portion of the corps , unit or
detachment to which he belongs, has been ordered on active service, fails,
without sufficient cause, to rejoin without delay; or
(d) without sufficient cause fails to appear at the time fixed, at the parade or place
appointed for exercise or duty; or
(e) when on parade, or on the line of march, without sufficient cause 1[or] without
leave from his superior officer, quits the parade or line of march; or
(f) when in camp or garrison or elsewhere, is found beyond any limits fixed, or in
any place prohibited, by any standing or routine order without a pass or written
leave from his superior officer; or
(g) without leave from his superior officer or without sufficient cause, absents
himself from any school or other institution when duly ordered to attend there;
shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to 2[three years], or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned
38. Fraudulent enrolment. Any person subject to this Act who,__
(a) without having obtained a regular discharge from the corps or unit to which he
belongs, or without having otherwise fulfilled the conditions enabling him to
enroll or enter, enrolls himself in, or enters the same or any other corps or unit
or any part of the Pakistan Forces regular or non-regular; or
(b) is concerned in the enrolment in any of the Pakistan Forces, regular or non -
regular, of any person whom he knows or has reason to believe to be so
circumstanced that by enrolling he commits an offence against this Act 3[* * *]
4[or the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953 ),] or the 5[Pakistan Navy
Ordinance, 1961 (XXXV of 1961)];
shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 6, for “and”.
2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 9, for five years.
3Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981, (27 of 1981), s. 3, and Sch., 2.
4Ins. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3, and 2nd Sch., (with effect from the 14th October, 1955).
5Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 5, for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934”.

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39. False answers on enrolment. Any person having become subject to this Act by
enrolment who is discovered to have made at the time of his enrolment a wilfully false answer to any
question set forth in the prescribed form of enrolment which was put to him by the enrolling officer
before whom he appeared for the purpose of being enrolled shall, on conviction by court martial, be
punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with such less
punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
40. Fraudulent offence in respect of property. Any person subject to this Act who
commits any of the following offences, that is to say,__
(a) dishonestly misappropriates or commits theft of, or criminal breach of trust in
respect of, any property belonging to the Government or any service property
or the property of any person subject to this Act, 1[* * *] 2[or the Pakistan Air
Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953)] or to the 3[Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961
(XXXV of 1961)], or of any person serving with or attached to any of the armed
forces of Pakistan; or
(b) dishonestly receives or retains any stolen property of the nature specified in
clause (a), knowing or having reason to believe the same to be stolen; or
(c) is guilty of any other act or omission with intent to defraud, or to cause wrongful
gain or wrongful loss to any person;
shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
41. Certain forms of disgraceful conduct. Any person subject to this Act who commits
any of the following offences this is to say,__
(a) malingers or feigns or produces disease or infirmity in himself, or intentionally
delays his cure or aggravates his disease or infirmity; or
(b) with intent to render himself or any other person subject to this Act unfit for
service, voluntarily causes hurt to himself or such other person; or
(c) is guilty of any disgraceful conduct of a cruel, indecent or unnatural kind;
shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to ten years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
42. Illegal gratification. Any person subject to this Act who directly or indirectly accepts
or obtains, or agrees to accept, or attempts to obtain, from any person for himself or any other person,
any gratification whatever other than a legal remuneration, as a motive or reward fo r doing or
forbearing to do any act, or for showing favour or disfavour to any person, in relation to any of the
affairs of the State or of any service affairs, shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with
rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is
in this Act mentioned.

1Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981, (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. 2.
2Ins. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3. and 2nd Sch (with effect from 14th October, 1955).
3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 5, for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934”.

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43. Intoxication. Any person subject to this Act who commits the following offence, that
is to say, the offence of being in a state of intoxication, shall, on conviction by court martial,
if he commits such offence on active service or while he is on duty, be punished with rigorous
imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with such less punishment as is in this Act
mentioned; and
1[if he commits such offence while not on active service or not on duty , be punished with
rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with such less punishment as is
in this Act mentioned.].
44. Offences in relation to persons in costody.__ (1) Any person subject to this Act who,
without authority, wilfully releases any prisoner or person placed in ser vice custody, shall, on
conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to
fourteen years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
2[(2) Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following offences, that is to
say,__
(a) negligently or without reasonable excuse allows any prisoner or person placed
in his charge to escape; or
(b) being in lawful custody escapes or attempts to escape or leaves such custody
before he is set at liberty by proper authority;
shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to two years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.].
45. Loss of arms, etc. and destruction of property. Any person subject to this Act who
commits any of the following offences, that is to say,__
(a) loses by neglect any arms, ammunition, equipment, instruments, tools, clothing
or any other thing, being Government or service property issued to him for his
use or entrusted to him for his use or entrusted to him for military purposes; or
(b) wilfully destroys or injures any Government or service property;
shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to two years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
46. False accusation. Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following
offences, that is to say,__
(a) makes a false accusation against any person subject to this Act, knowing or
having reason to believe such accusation to be false; or
(b) in making a complaint to his superior officer makes any statement affecting the
character of a person subject to this Act knowing or having reason to believe
such statement to be false, or in making such complaint knowingly and wilfully
suppresses any material fact;

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 3.
2Subs. ibid., s.4.

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shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to two years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
47. False documents. Any person subject to this Act who commits any of the following
offences, that is to say,__
(a) in any report, return, list certificate, book or other service or official document
made or signed by him, or of the contents of which it is his duty to ascertain the
accuracy,__
(i) knowingly makes or is privy to the making of any false or fraudulent
statement; or
(ii) knowingly makes or is privy to the making of an omission with intent to
defraud; or
(b) knowingly and with intent to injure any person, or to defraud, suppresses,
defaces, alters or makes away with, any service or official document which it is
his duty to preserve or produce; or
(c) when it is his official duty to make a declaration respecting any service or
official matter, knowingly makes a false declaration;
shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to seven years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
48. Signing in blank and failure to report. Any person subject to this Act who,__
(a) when signing any document relating to pay, arms, ammunition, equipment,
clothing, supplies or stores 1[or] any other Government or service property,
knowingly leaves in blank any material part for which his signature is a voucher;
or
(b) refuses, or by culpable neglect omits, to make a report or return which it is his
duty to make;
shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to two years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
49. Offences in relation to courts martial. Any person subject to this Act who commits
any of the following offences, that is to say,__
(a) refuses to be sworn or affirmed when duly required by a court martial to be
sworn or affirmed; or
(b) refuses, when a witness, to answer any question or to produce or deliver up any
book, document or other thing when duly required by a Court martial to answer
such question, or to produce or deliver up such book, document or other thing;
or

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 10, for “of”.

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(c) is guilty of contempt of Court martial, by using insulting or threatening
language, or by causing any interruption or disturbance in the proceedings of
such court;
shall, on conviction by court martial be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
50. False statement before court martial. Any person subject to this Act who, having
been duly sworn or affirmed before any court martial or other military Court competent under this Act
to administer an oath or affirmation, makes any statement which is false and which he either knows or
believes to be false or does not believe to be true, shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished
with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, or with such less punishment as
is in this Act mentioned.
51. Irregular confinement. Any person subject to this Act who,__
(1) without lawful excuse, detains a person in arrest or confinement without bringing him
to trial or fails to bring his case before the proper authority for investigation; or
(2) having committed a person to custody, fails without reasonable cause to deliver at the
time of such committal, or as soon as practicable, and in any case within twenty-four hours thereafter,
to the officer or other person into whose custody the person arrested is committed, an account in writing
signed by himself of the offence with which the person so committed is charged;
shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which
may extend to two years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
52. Unbecoming behaviour. Any officer, junior commissioned officer or warrant officer,
who behaves in a manner unbecoming his position and the character expected of him shall, on
conviction by court martial, be liable to be dismissed from the service or to suffer such less punishment
as is in this Act mentioned.
53. Striking or ill-treating person subject to the Act. Any person subject to this Act who
strikes or ill -treats any person subject to this Act being his subordinate in rank or position shall, on
conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to
five years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
54. Unlawful detention of pay. Any officer, junior commissioned officer, warrant officer
or non-commissioned officer who, having received the pay of a person subject to this Act, unlawfully
detains or refuses to pay the same, when due, shall, on conviction by court martial, be liable to be
punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, or with such less
punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
55. Violation of good order and discipline. Any person subject to this Act who is guilty
of any act, conduct, disorder or neglect to the prejudice of good order any of military discipline shall,
on conviction by court martial, be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend
to five years, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
1[55A. Conflict of interest .— (1) A personnel who is or has been subject to this Act during
the preceding five years, shall not directly or indirectly enter into employment, consultation or other
1Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.9.

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engagement with an entity having conflict of interest with any of the activities of the Armed Forces of
Pakistan or its affiliated entities, in a manner or position that utilizes the skills or experience acquired
by such person during association with the Armed Forces:
Provided that sub -section (1) shall not a pply to any such employment, consultation or
engagement, made after seeking prior approval from the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the
Chief of the Defense Forces], or any officer duly empowered by him, in the manner prescribed.
(2) Any person who contravenes the provision of sub -section (1) shall be guilty of an
offence under this Act and may be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two
years or with fine not exceeding five hundred thousand rupees or with both.
55B. Electronic crimes.— A personnel who is or has been subject to this Act commits an
offence under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 (Act XL of 2016) or relevant electronic,
digital, social media laws, with the malafide intention to undermine, ridicule or scandalize the Armed
Forces of Pakistan, may be proceeded under this Act and shall, on conviction by a court constituted
under this Act, shall be punished in prescribed manner with the same punishments as provided for in
the said Act XL of 2016 or such other laws, as the case may be.
55C. Defamation.— A personnel who is or has been subject to this Act intentionally
ridicules, scandalizes, brings into hatred or otherwise attempts to lower the Armed Forces of Pakistan
or any part thereof in the estimation of others shall, on conviction by a court constituted under this Act,
in the prescribed manner, be punished with imprisonment which may extend to two years or fine or
with both.]
56. Offences relating to aircraft. Any person subject to this Act who,__
(a) voluntarily or negligently damages, destroys or loses any service aircraft or
aircraft material; or
(b) is guilty of any act or omission likely to cause such damage, destruction or loss;
or
(c) without due authority disposes of any service aircraft or aircraft material; or
(d) is guilty of any act or omission in flying or in the use of any aircraft, or in
relation to any aircraft, or aircraft material which causes or is likely to cause
loss of life or bodily injury to any person; or
(e) during a state of war, voluntarily and without proper occasion or negligently
causes sequestration, by or under the authority of a neutral State, or the
destruction in a neutral State, of any service aircraft;
shall, on conviction by court martial, be punished,
if he has acted voluntarily, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen
years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and
if he has not acted voluntarily, with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to five
years or with such less punishment as in this Act mentioned.

1Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s. 2.

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1[Explanation.__ In this section, “aircraft” includes aeroplanes, balloons, kite balloons, airships,
gliders or other machines for flying and “aircraft material” includes any engines, fittings, guns, gear,
instruments or apparatus for use in connection with aircraft, and components and accessories of
aircraft, and petrol or any other substance used for providing motive power for aircraft, and lubricating
oil.]
57. Attempt. Any person subject to this Act who attempts to commit any offence before in
this Act specified and in such attempt does any act towards the Commission of the offence shall, on
conviction by court martial, where no express provision is made by this Act for the punishment of such
attempt, be punished,
if the offence attempted to be committed is punishable with death, with rigorous imprisonment
for a term which may extend to fourteen years or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned;
and
if the offence attempted to be committed is punishable with rigorous imprisonment, with
rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to one -half of the longest term provided for that
offence, or with such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned.
58. Abetment. Any person subject to this Act who abets the commission of any offence
before in this Act specified, or of any offence punishable under 2[* * * ] the Pakistan Air Force
Act, 1953 (VI of 1953), or the 3[Pakistan Navy Ordinance,1961 (XXXV of 1961)], such offence being
of the same nature as an offence before in this Act specified, shall, on conviction by court martial, be
punished with the punishment provided for such offence in this Act (XIV of 1932) 2[* * *] 4[or the
Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953),] or in the 3[Pakistan Navy Ordinance, 1961 (XXXV of
1961)], as the case may be, or with such less punishment as in this Act mentioned.
59. Civil offences.__ (1) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), any person subject to
this Act who at any place in or beyond Pakistan commits any civil offence shall be deemed to be guilty
of an offence against this Act and, if charged therewith under this section, shall be liable to be 5[dealt
with under this Act],
and, on conviction, to be punished as follows, that is to say,__
(a) if the offence is one which would be punishable under any law in force in
Pakistan with death or with 6[imprisonment for life], he shall be liable to suffer
any punishment 7[* * *] assigned for the offence by the aforesaid law or such
less punishment as is in this Act mentioned; and
(b) in any other case, he shall be liable to suffer any punishment 7[* * *] assigned
for the offence by the law in force in Pakistan, or 6[*] rigorous imprisonment
for a term which may extend to five years or 6[*] such less punishment as is in
this Act mentioned 7[:]
7[Provided that, where the offence of which any such person is found guilty is an offence liable

1Explanation added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 7.
2Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3, and 2nd Sch.
3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), ss. 5 and 6, for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934”.
4Ins. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3, and 2nd Sch., (with effect from 14th October, 1955).
5Subs. by Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 6, for “tried by court material”.
6Subs. and omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 11.
7Omitted, subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 5.

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to hadd under any Islamic law, the sentence awarded to him shall be that provided for the offence in
that law.
(2) A person subject to this Act who commits an offence of murder against a per son not
subject to this Act 1[* * *] 2[or the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953)], or to the 3[Pakistan
Navy Ordinance, 1961 (XXXV of 1961)], or of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against
such a person or of 4[Zina or Zina-bil-Jabr] in relation to such a person, shall not be deemed to be
guilty of an offence against this Act and shall not be 5[dealt with under this Act] unless he commits
any of the said offences,__
(a) while on active service, or
(b) at any place outside Pakistan, or
(c) at a frontier post specified by the 6[Federal Government] by notification in this
behalf.
(3) The powers of a court martial 7[or an officer exercising authority under section 23] to
charge and punish any person under this section shall not be affected by reason of the fact that the civil
offence with which such person is charged is also an offence against this Act.
8[(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being
in force a person who becomes sub ject to this Act by reason of his being accused of an offence
mentioned in clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 2 shall be liable to be tried or otherwise dealt with
under this Act for such offence as if the offence were an offence against this Act and were committed
at a time when such person was subject to this Act ; and the provisions of this section shall have effect
accordingly].
CHAPTER VI
PUNISHMENTS
60. Punishments. Punishments may be inflicted in respect of offences committed by
persons subject to this Act and convicted by courts martial according to the scale following, that is to
say,__
4[(a) stoning to death;
(aa) death;
(aaa) amputation of hand, foot or both;]
9[(b) imprisonment for life;]

1Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3, and 2nd Sch.
2Ins. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3, and 2nd Sch., (with effect from 14th October, 1955).
3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), ss. 5 and 6, for “Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934”.
4Omitted, subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 5-6.
5 Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s.6, for “tried by Court martial”.
6Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3. for “Central Government”.
7Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 6.
8Added by the Defence Services Laws (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1967 (4 of 1967), s. 2.
9Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976, (51 of 1976), s. 12.

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(c) 1[*] imprisonment for any term not exceeding 1[Twenty-five] years;
1[(cc) whipping not exceeding one hundred stripes;];
(d) dismissal from the service;
(e) in the case of persons other than officers, junior commissioned officers or
warrant officers, detention for a period not exceeding six months;
(f) in the case of warrant officers, reduction in grade or class; and in the case of
non-commissioned officers, reduction to the ranks or to a lower rank;
(g) in the case of officers, junior commissioned officers, warrant officers and non -
commissioned officers, forfeiture of seniority of rank; or, in the case of any of
the aforesaid whose promotion depends upon length of service, forfeiture of all
or any part of the service for the purposes of promotion;
(h) forfeiture of service for the purposes of increased pay, or any other prescr ibed
purpose;
(i) in the case of officers, junior commissioned officers, warrant officers and non -
commissioned officers, severe reprimand or reprimand;
(j) forfeiture, fines and stoppages as follows, namely:__
(i) in the case of a person sentenced to dismissal from the service, forfeiture
of all arrears of pay and allowances and other public money due to him
at the time of such dismissal;
(ii) fine;
1[(iii) stoppages of pay and allowances to make good the whole or any part of
the proved loss or damage occ asioned by the offence of which he is
convicted;]
(iv) for an offence committed on active service, forfeiture of pay and
allowances for a period commencing on the day of the sentence and not
exceeding three months [;]1
1[(k) any other punishment provided for in any Islamic law.]
Provided that,
1[(1) a person shall not be sentenced to imprisonment for life except in respect of an offence of
which he is convicted under section 24 or section 31 or sub-section (1) of section 36 or section 59; nor
shall a person be fined except in respect of an offence of which he is convicted under section 40 or
section 42 or section 55 or section 59; ]

1Omitted Subs., Ins. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 6.

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(2) Where in respect of an offence under this Act there is specified a particular punishment
or such less punishment as is in this Act mentioned, there may be awarded in respect of that offence
instead of such particular punishment, but subject to the other provisions of this Act and regard being
had to the nature and degree of the offence, any one punishment lower in the scale than the particular
punishment, 1[except an offence liable to hadd under any Islamic law, for which the punishment
provided for in that law shall be awarded ;]
(3) an offender under this Act shall not be subject to detention for more than six months
whether under one or more sentences 1[ ; and]
1[(4) a person shall not b e sentenced to stoning to death, amputation of hand, foot or both,
whipping or simple imprisonment except in respect of an offence of which he is convicted under an
Islamic law.
Explanation.__ While computing a sentence under an Islamic law, “imprisonment for life” shall
have the same meaning as in such law.]
61. Field punishment.__ (1) Where any person subject to this Act, being below the rank of
warrant officer, commits any offence on active service, it shall be lawful for a court martial to award
for that offence any such punishment, other than flogging, as may be prescribed as a field punishment.
Field punishment shall be of the character of personal restraint or of hard labour but shall not be of a
nature to cause injury to life or limb.
(2) Field punishment shall, for the purpose of commutation, be deemed to stand next below
detention.
62. Special provisions regarding sentences.__ (1) Where an officer, junior commissioned
officer or warrant officer is sentenced to 2[stoning to death,] death, 3[imprisonment for life] or 2[*]
imprisonment, the court shall, by its sentence, sentence such officer, junior commissioned officer, or
warrant officer to be dismissed from the service.
(2) A person subject to this Act, being below the rank of warrant officer who is sentenced
to 3[imprisonment for life], 4[or to imprisonment to be undergone otherwise than in military custody]
may, in addition thereto, be sentenced to be dismissed from the service.
(3) An officer, junior commissioned officer, warrant officer or non-commissioned officer,
when sentenced to forfeiture of seniority of rank or service for the purposes of promotion or to
forfeiture of service for the purposes of increased pay, or any other prescribed purpose, may, in addition
thereto, be sentenced by court martial to be severely reprimanded or reprimanded.
(4) In addition to, or without any other punishment, in respect of any offence, an offender
may be sentenced by court martial to any forfeiture, fine or stoppages authorised by this Act.
(5) A non-commissioned officer sentenced by court martial to 5[ amputation of hand or foot
or both,] 3[imprisonment for life], 6[*] imprisonment, detention, field punishment or dismissal from
the service shall be deemed to be reduced to the ranks.
1Sub. Ins. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 6.
2Ins. and omitted ibid, s. 7.
3Subs. by Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 13.
4Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 7.
5Ins. ibid.
6Omitted ibid.

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1[(6) A person subject to this Act who is sentenced to amputation of hand or foot or both or
whipping, may, in addition thereto, be sentenced to be dismissed from the service.]
63. Retention in the ranks of person convicted on active service. When, on active
service, any person enrolled under this Act has been sentenced by court martial to dismissal from the
service or to 2[imprisonment for life] or 3[*] imprisonment whether combined with dismissal or not,
the prescribed officer may direct that such person may be retained to serve in the ranks, and where
such person has been sentenced to 2[imprisonment for life] or 3[*] imprisonment, such service shall be
reckoned as part of his term or 2[imprisonment for life] or 3[*] imprisonment.
CHAPTER VII
PENAL DEDUCTIONS
64. Authorised deductions only to be made from pay. The pay 4[and allowances] of an
officer, junior commissioned officer, warrant officer, or of any person enrolled under this Act shall be
paid without any deductions other than deductions authorised by or under this Act or any other law for
the time being in force.
65. Deductions from pay and allowances .__ (1) The following penal deductions may be
made from the 5[pay and allowances of an officer], that is to say,__
(a) all pay and allowances for every day he absents himself without leave, unless a
satisfactory explan ation has been given to his commanding officer or other
superior officer and has been accepted by the 6[Federal Government];
(b) all pay and allowances for every day while he is in custody or under suspension
from duty on a charge for an offence of which h e is afterwards convicted by a
criminal court or a court martial or by an officer exercising authority under
section 23;
(c) any sum required to make good the pay of any person subject to this Act which
he has unlawfully retained or unlawfully refused to pay;
(d) all pay and allowances ordered by a court martial or by an officer exercising
authority under section 23 to be forfeited or stopped;
(e) any sum required to pay a fine awarded by a criminal court or a court martial
exercising jurisdiction under section 59;
(f) any sum required to make good any loss, damage or destruction of any public
or service property which, after due investigation, appears to the 6[Federal
Government] to have been occasioned by any wrongful act or negligence on the
part of the officer;

1Added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 8.
2Subs. by Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 13.
3Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 7.
4Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 8.
5Subs. ibid., s. 9, for “pay of an officer”.
6Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

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(g) all pay and allowances forfeited by order of the 1[Federal Government] if the
officer is found by a court of inquiry constituted in the behalf by the 2[Chief of
the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ] to have deserted
to the enemy, or while in enemy hands, to have served with or under the orders
of, the enemy, or in any manner to have aided the enemy, or to have allowed
himself to be taken prisoner by the enemy through want of due precaution or
through disobedience of orders or wilful neglect of duty, or having been taken
prisoner by the enemy to have failed to rejoin his service when it was possible
to do so;
(h) any sum which a criminal court or the 1[Federal Government] orders him to pay
for the maintenance of his wife or his child, legitimate or illegitimate.
(2) The following penal deductions may be made from the pay and allowances of a person
subject to this Act other than an officer, that is to say,__
(a) all pay and allowances for every day of absence without leave or as a prisoner
of war, and for every day of 3* imprisonment or detention awarded by a criminal
court, a court martial, or an officer exercising authority under section 23 or of
field punishment awarded by court martial, or such officer;
(b) all pay and allowances for every day while he is in custody or under suspension
from duty on a charge for an offence of which he is afterwards convicted by a
criminal court or a court martial, or on a charge of absence without leave for
which he is afterwards awarded imprisonment, detention or field punishment by
an officer exercising authority under section 23;
(c) all pay and allowances for every day on which he is in hospital on account of
sickness certified by the medical officer attending on him to have been caused
by an offence under this Act committed by him;
(d) for every day on which he is in hospital on account of sickness certified by the
medical officer attending on him to have been caused by his own misconduct or
imprudence, such sum as may be specified by order of the 1[Federal
Government] or of the prescribed officer;
(e) all pay and allowances ordered by a court martial or by an officer exercising
authority under section 23 to be forfeited or stopped;
(f) all pay and allowances for every day between his being recovered from the
enemy and his dismissal from the service in consequence of his conduct when
being taken prisoner by, or while in the hands of, the enemy;
(g) any sum required to make good such compe nsation for any expense, loss,
damage or destruction caused by him to the 1[Federal Government] or to any
building or property as may be awarded by his commanding officer;

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3., for “Central Government”.
2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.
3Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 15.

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(h) any sum required to pay a fine awarded by a criminal court, a court martial exercising
jurisdiction under section 59 or an officer exercising authority under section 23;
(i) any sum which a criminal court, the 1[Federal Government] or any prescribed officer
orders him to pay for the maintenance of his wife or his child, legitimate or illegitimate:
Provided that the total de ductions from the pay and allowances of a person under clauses (e),
(g), (h) or (i) shall not, except where he is sentenced to dismissal, exceed in any one month one -half
of his pay and allowances for that month.
Explanation.__ For the purposes of clauses (a) and (b):
(i) no person shall be treated as absent or in custody unless the absence or custody
has lasted for six hours or upwards (except where the absence or custody
prevents the absentee from fulfilling any military duty which is thereby thrown
on some other person);
(ii) absence or custody for six consecutive hours or upwards, whether wholly in one
day or partly in one day and partly in another may be reckoned as absence or
custody for a day;
(iii) absence or custody for twenty -four consecutive hours or upward may be
reckoned as absence or custody for the whole of each day during any portion of
which the person was absent or in custody;
(iv) for the purposes of this explanation “custody” includes custody on a charge for
an offence of which a person is afterwards convicted, and any period in custody
of any nature, under a sentence of 2[*] rigorous imprisonment, detention or field
punishment.
66. Pay and allowances during trial. In the case of a person subject to this Act who is in
custody or under suspension from duty on a Charge for an offence, the prescribed officer may direct
that the whole or any part of the pay and allowances of such person shall be withheld, pending the
result of his trial, on the charge against him, in order to gi ve effect to the provisions of clause (b) of
sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 65.
67. Deduction from public money due, other than pay. Any sum authorised by this Act
to be deducted from the pay and allowances of any person may, without prejudi ce to any other mode
of recovering the same, be deducted from any public money due to him other than a pension.
68. Power to withhold pay and allowances pending inquiry into conduct as prisoner
of war. Where the conduct of any person subject to this Act, w hen being taken prisoner by or whilst
in the hands of the enemy, is to be inquired into under this Act or any other law for the time being in
force, the 3[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ] or any officer
empowered by him in this behalf may order that the whole or any part of the pay and allowances of
such person shall be withheld pending the result of such inquiry.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
2Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 15, for “transportation”.
3Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

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69. Remission of deductions. Any deduction from pay and allowances authorised by this
Act may be remitted in such manner, to such extent and by such authority as may be prescribed.

70. Provision for dependants of prisoner of war from remitted deductions. In the case
of a person subject to this Act being prisoner of war, whose pay and allowances have been forfeited
under clause (g) of sub-section (1) or clause (a) of sub-section (2) of section 65 but in respect of whom
a remission has been made under secti on 69 it shall be lawful for proper provision to be made by the
prescribed authority out of such pay and allowances for any dependants of such a person and any such
remission shall in that case be deemed to apply only to the balance thereafter remaining of such pay
and allowances.
71. General power to make provision for dependants. In the case of a person subject to
this Act, it shall be lawful, for proper provision to be made by the prescribed authority for any
dependants of any such person who is a prisoner of war or missing out of his pay and allowances.
72. Period during which a person is deemed to be a prisoner of war. For the purposes
of sections 70 and 71 a person shall be deemed to continue to be a prisoner of war until the conclusion
of any inquiry into his conduct such as is referred to in section 68 and if he is dismissed from the
service in consequence of such conduct, until the date of dismissal.
CHAPTER VIII
ARREST AND PROCEEDINGS BEFORE TRIAL.
73. Custody of offenders. __ (1) Any person subject to this Act who is charged with any
offence may be taken into military custody.
(2) Any such person may be ordered into military custody by any superior officer, or except
in the case of a person subject to this Act as an officer, b y any member of the military, naval or air
force police.
(3) An officer may order into military custody any officer, though he may be of a higher
rank, who is engaged in a quarrel, affray or disorder.
74. Duty of Commanding Officer in regard to person in custody. Every commanding
officer shall take care that a person under his command when charged with an offence is not detained
in custody for more then forty-eight hours after the committal of such person into custody is reported
to him, without the charge being, investigated, unless investigation within that period seems to him to
be impracticable having due regard to the public service. Every case of a person detained in custody
beyond a period of forty -eight hours and the reason therefor shall be reported by the commanding
officer to the officer to whom application is to be made to convene a general or District court martial
for the trial of the person charged:
Provided that in reckoning the period of forty-eight hours all public holidays shall be excluded.
75. Interval between committal and Court martial. In every case where any such person
as is mentioned in section 73 and as is not on active service remains in custody for a longer period than
eight days, without a court martial for his trial b eing ordered to assemble, a special report giving
reasons for the delay shall be made by his commanding officer in the manner prescribed and a similar
report shall be forwarded at intervals of eight days until a court martial is assembled or such person is
released from custody.

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76. Arrest by civil authorities. Whenever any person subject to this Act, who is accused
of any offence under this Act, is within the jurisdiction of any magistrate or police officer, such
magistrate or police officer shall aid in t he apprehension and delivery to military custody of such
person upon receipt of a written application to that effect signed by that person’s commanding officer.
77. Capture of deserters. __ (1) Whenever any person subject to this Act deserts, his
commanding officer shall give written information of the desertion to such civil authorities as in his
opinion may be able to afford assistance towards the capture of the deserter. Such authorities shall
thereupon take steps for the apprehension of the said deserter in like manner as if he were a person for
whose apprehension a warrant had been issued by a magistrate, and shall deliver to deserter, when
apprehended, into military custody.
(2) It shall be lawful for any police officer to arrest without warrant any per son whom he
reasonably believes to be subject to this Act, and to be a deserter or absentee without leave, and to
bring him without delay before the nearest magistrate, to be dealt with according to law.
78. Inquiry into absence of person subject to the Act.__ (1) When any person subject to
this Act has been absent from his duty without due authority for a period of 1[thirty days] a Court of
inquiry shall, as soon as practicable, be assembled and such court shall, upon oath or affirmation
administered in the prescribed manner, inquire respecting the absence of the person, and the deficiency,
if any, in the property of 2[Federal Government] entrusted to his care, or in his arms, ammunition,
equipment, instruments, clothing or necessaries ; and, if satisfied of the fact of such absence without
due authority or other sufficient cause, the court shall declare such absence and the period thereof and
the said deficiency, if any, and the commanding officer of the corps or unit to which the person belongs
shall enter in the court martial book of the corps or unit a record of the declaration.
(2) If the person declared absent does not afterwards surrender, or is not apprehended, he
shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be a deserter.
3[(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), a person who, after enrolment,
fails to report to the corps or unit to which he is required to report within thirty days of the date on
which he was required to so report, the commanding officer of the corps or unit shall declare such
failure and enter in the court martial book of the corps or unit, as the case may be, a record of the
declaration; and if the person in respect of whom such declaration has been made does not afterwards
surrender, or is not apprehended, he shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be a deserter.].
4[78A. Inquiry into any other marshals. A court of inquiry may also be assembled in the
prescribed manner to inquire into any matter which may be referred to it.]
Provost Marshals
79. Appointment, duties and powers of provost marshals. __ (1) For the prompt and
instant repression of irregularities and offences committed, provost marshals with assistants may be
appointed by the 5[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ] or by any
prescribed officer.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 16, for “sixty days”.
2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
3Added by Act 51 of 1976, s. 16.
4New section 78A ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (15 of 1965), s, 3.
5Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

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(2) the duties of a provost marshal so appointed shall be to take charge of persons confined
for any offence, to preserve good order and discipline, and to prevent breaches on the same by persons
subject to this Act.
(3) A provost marshal may at any time arrest and detain for trial any person subject to this
Act who commits, or is charged with an offence, and may also carry into effect any punishment to be
inflicted in pursuance of a sentence awarded by a court martial, or by an officer exercising authority
under section 23 but shall not inflict any punishment on his own authority:
Provided that no officer shall be so arrested or detained otherwise than by or under the orders
of an officer.
(4) For the purposes of sub -sections (2) and (3) “provost marshal” shall be deemed to
include an assistant provost marshal appointed under this Act, or a provost marshal or any of his
assistants appointed under 1[* * *] 2[the Pakistan Air Force Act, 1953 (VI of 1953)] or the 3[Pakistan
Navy Ordinance, 1961 (XXXV of 1961)].
CHAPTER IX
COURTS MARTIAL
Constitution, Jurisdiction and Powers of Courts Martial.

80. Kinds of courts martial. For the purposes of this Act, there shall be four kinds of courts
martial, that is to say,__
(1) general courts martial;
(2) district courts martial;
(3) field general courts martial; and
(4) summary courts martial.
81. Power to convene general courts martial. A general court martial may be convened
by the 4[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or by an officer
empowered in this behalf by warrant of the 4[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the
Defense Forces].
82. Power to convene district courts martial. A district court martial may be convened
by an authority having power to convene a general court martial or by an officer empowered in this
behalf by a warrant of any such authority.
83. Limitation of powers of convening authorities. A warrant issued under section 81 or
section 82 may contain such restrictions, reservations or conditions as the authority issuing it may
think fit.

1Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch-II.
2Ins. by the Central Laws (Statute Reform) Ordinance, 1960 (21 of 1960), s. 3 and 2nd Sch. (with effect from the 14th October 1955).
3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 7, for Pakistan Navy (Discipline) Act, 1934.
4Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

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84. Power to convene field general court martial. The following authorities shall have
power to convene a field general court martial, namely:__
(a) an officer empowered in this behalf by an order of the 1[Federal Government]
or of the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense
Forces].
(b) on active service, an officer commanding a portion of the Pakistan Army, not
below the rank of brigadier, if in the opinion of such officer commanding, such
opinion to be recorded in writing and to be conclusive, it is not practicable with
due regard to discipline and the exigencies of the service to try the alleged
offender by a general court martial.
85. Composition of general court martial. A general court martial shall consist of not less
than five officers each of whom has held a commission for not less than three whole years and of whom
not less than four are of a rank not below that of captain.
86. Composition of district court martial. A district court martial shall consist of not less
than three officers each of whom has held a commission for a continuous period of not less than two
years.
87. Composition of field general court martial. A field general court martial shall consist
of not less than three officers.
88. Summary courts martial.__ (1) A summary court martial may be held by the
commanding officer of any corps or unit or any detachment thereof.
(2) At every summary court martial, the officer holding the trial shall alone constitute the
court, but the proceedings shall be attended throughout by two officers, or two junior Commissioned
officers, or one officer and one junior commissioned o fficer, who shall not as such be sworn or
affirmed.
3[(3) In the trial of an accused who is a Muslim for an offence punishable under an Islamic
law, the officer holding the trial, and the officers and junior commissioned officers attending the trial
under sub-section (2), shall all be Muslims; and, where the commanding officer is a non -Muslim, a
Muslim officer shall be appointed by the formation commander for holding the trial.]
89. Dissolution of courts martial.__ (1) If a court martial after the commencement of a
trial is reduced below the smallest number of officers of which it is by this Act required to consist, it
shall be dissolved.
(2) If, on account of the illness 4[* * *] of the accused before the finding, it is impossible
to continue the trial, the court martial shall be dissolved.
(3) The officer who convened a court martial may dissolve such court martial if it appears
to him that the exigencies of the service or the necessities of discipline render it impossible or
inexpedient to continue the trial.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.
3Added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 9.
4Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 17.

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(4) Where a court martial is dissolved under this section, the accused may be tried by a
fresh Court martial.
90. Prohibition of second trial. Where any person subject to this Act has been acquitted
or convicted of an offence by a court martial or by a criminal court or has been summarily dealt with
for an offence under section 23, he shall not be liable to be tried again for the same offence by a court
martial or be dealt with summarily in respect of it under the said section [:]1
2[ Provided that this section shall n ot apply in a case in which the finding or sentence of the
court martial has not been confirmed or the proceedings have been annulled under section 132.]
91. Period of limitation for trial.__ (1) No trial by court martial of any person 3[who is or
has been] subject to this Act for any offence, other than an offence of desertion or fraudulent enrolment
or any of the offences mentioned in 2[section 3[26A, 26B, 31, 40, 55A, 55B, 55C or 59] ], shall be
commenced after the expiration of three years from the date of such offence, and no such trial for an
offence of desertion, other than desertion on active service or of fraudulent enrolment shall be
commenced if the person in question, not being an officer, has subsequently to the commission of the
offence, served continuously in an exemplary manner for not less than three years with any portion of
the Pakistan regular forces.
(2) In the computation of the period of three years specified in sub -section (1) any time
spent by the person in question as a prisoner of war, or in evading arrest; shall be excluded.
92. Liability of offender who ceases to be subject to Act. __ (1) Where an offence has
been committed by any person while subject to this Act, and he has ceased to be so subject, he may be
taken into and kept in military custody and tried and punished for such offence as if he had continued
to be so subject.
(2) No such person shall be tried for an offence, unless his trial commences within six
months after he had ceased to be subject to this Act :
Provided that nothing contained in this 3[section] shall apply to the trial of any such person for
an offence or desertion, fraudulent enrolment or for any of the offences mentioned in section 3[26A,
26B, 31, 40, 55A, 55B or 55C] or shall affect the jurisdiction of a cri minal court to try any offence
triable by such court as well as by court martial.
93. Place of trial.__ Any person subject to this Act who commits any offence against it may
be tried and punished for such offence in any place whatever.
94. Order in case of concurrent jurisdiction of court martial and criminal court. When
a criminal court and a court martial have each jurisdiction in respect of a civil offence, it shall be in
the discretion of the prescribed officer to decide before which court the proceedings shall be instituted
and, if that officer decides that they shall be instituted before a court martial, to direct that the accused
person shall be detained in military custody.

1Subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1983 (39 of 1983), s. 2.
2Subs. by Pakistan Army (Amdt.) ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s.10, for “Section 31 (or section 40). The word in crotechets were ins. by the Pakistan
Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s.10, to read as above.
3Ins. and subs. by Act LXII of 2023. s.10-11.

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95. Power of criminal court to require delivery of offender.__ (1) When a criminal court
having jurisdiction is of the opinion that proceedings ought to be instituted before itself in respect of
any civil offence, it may, by written notice, require the prescribed officer, at his option, either to deliver
over the offender to the nearest magistrate to be proceeded against according to law, or to postpone
proceedings pending a reference to the 1[Federal Government].
(2) In every such case, the said officer shall either deliver over the offender in compliance
with the requisition or shall forthwit h refer the question as to the court before which the proceedings
are to be instituted for the determination of the 1[Federal Government], whose order upon such
reference shall be final.
2[96. Trial by court martial, bar to subsequent trial by criminal court. Where a person
subject to this Act is acquitted or convicted of an offence by a court martial, a criminal court shall be
debarred from trying him subsequently for the same offence or on the same facts.]
3[96A. Definition of court martial. For the purposes of sections 94 and 96, the term “court
martial” shall include an officer exercising authority under section 23.]
97. Powers of general and field general courts martial. A general or field general court
martial shall have power to try any person subject to this Act for any offence made punishable therein,
and to pass any sentence authorised by this Act.
98. Power of district courts martial. A district court martial shall have power to try any
person subject to this Act, except an officer, junior commissioned officer or warrant officer, for any
offence made punishable therein, and to pass any sentence authorised by this Act other than a sentence
of 4[stoning to death or death or amputation of hand, foot or both or imprisonment for a term exceeding
two years or whipping exceeding forty stripes].
99. Offences triable by summary court martial. A summary court martial may try any
offence punishable under any of the provisions of this Act 4[other than an offence liable to hadd under
any Islamic law]:
Provided that when there is no grave reason for immediate action and reference can without
detriment to discipline be made to the officer empowered to convene a district court martial, or on
active service a field general court martial, for the trial of the alleged offender, an officer holding a
summary court martial shall not try without such reference any of the following offences, namely:__
(a) any offence punishable under sections 24, 31 and 59; or
(b) any offence against the officer holding the court.
100. Persons triable by summary court martial. A summary court martial may try any
person subject to this Act and under the command of the officer holding the court, except an officer,
junior commissioned officer or warrant officer.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1966 (6 of 1966), s. 2, “for original section 96”.
3New section 96A ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 8.
4Subs. and Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 11-12

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101. Sentence awardable by summary court martial. A summary court martial may pass
any sentence which may be passed under this Act, except a sentence of 1[stoning to death or death or
amputation of hand, foot or both or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year or whipping exceeding
twenty stripes]:
Provided that if the officer holding the su mmary court martial is below the rank of 2[Major],
he shall not award 1[whipping or] imprisonment for a term exceeding three months.
102. President. The president of a general, district or field general court martial shall be
appointed by order of the authority convening the court.
3[102A. Religion of confirming officer, president, judge advocate and members of general,
district or field general court martial. In the trial, by a general, district or field general court martial,
of an accused who is a Muslim for an offence punishable under an Islamic law, the confirming officer,
the president, the judge advocate and the members shall be Muslims].
103. Judge Advocate. Every general court martial shall, and every d istrict or field general
court martial may, be attended by a judge advocate, who shall be an officer belonging to the department
of the Judge Advocate General, Pakistan Army or, if no such officer is available, a person appointed
by the convening officer.
104. Challenges.__ (1) At all trials by general, district or field general court martial, as soon
as the court is assembled, the names of the president and members shall be read over to the accused,
who shall thereupon be asked whether he objects to being tried by any officer sitting on the court.
(2) If the accused objects to such officer, his objection , and also the reply thereto of the
officer objected to, shall be heard and recorded, and the remaining officers of the court shall, decide
on the objection in the absence of the challenged officer.
(3) If the objection is allowed by one half or more of the votes of the officers entitled to
vote, the objection shall be allowed and the member objected to shall retire and his vacancy may be
filled in the prescribed manner by another officer subject to the right of the accused to object.
(4) When no challenge is made, or when challenge has been made and disallowed or the
place of every officer successfully challenged has been filled by another officer to whom no objection
is made or allowed, the court shall proceed with the trial.
105. Voting of members .__ (1) Every decision of a court martial shall be passed by an
absolute majority of votes; and where there is an equality of votes, as to either finding or sentence, the
decision shall be in favour of the accused :
Provided that no sentence of death shall be passed without the concurrence, in the case of a
general court martial of at least two -thirds of the members and, in the case of a field general court
martial of all the members, of the court [:]4
4[Provided further that, where the offence of which an accused is found guilty is an offence
liable to hadd under an Islamic law, the sentence awarded shall be that provided for the offence in that
law.].
1Subs. the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) ordinance, 1984,(36 of 1984), s.13.
2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1963 (9 of 1963), s. 3, for “Lieutenant-Colonel”.
3Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984, (36 of 1984.), s. 14.
4Subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 15.

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(2) In matters other than a challenge or the finding or sentence, the presid ent shall have a
second or casting vote.
106. Oaths of president and members. An oath or affirmation in the prescribed form shall
be administered to every member of every court martial before the commencement of the trial.
107. Oaths of judge advocate and others. After the members of the court have been sworn
or affirmed, an oath or affirmation in the prescribed form shall be administered to the following persons
or such of them as are present at the court martial:__
(a) judge advocate;
(b) officer attending for the purpose of instruction;
(c) shorthand writer;
(d) interpreter.
108. Oaths of witnesses. Every person giving evidence at a court martial shall be examined
on oath or affirmation and shall be duly sworn or affirmed in the prescribed form:
Provided that where a court martial is satisfied that a child of tender years is unable to
understand the nature of an oath or affirmation, it may dispense with the administration of oath or
affirmation.
1[108A. Affirmation not allowed in the case of Muslim . Where the person referred to in
section 106 or section 107 or section 108 is a Muslim, the said section shall have effect as if reference
therein to affirmation were omitted.].
109. Summoning witnesses and production of documents. __ (1) The convening officer,
the president of 2[*] 3[a court martial or a court of inquiry], the judge advocate, or the commanding
officer of the accused person may, by summons under his hand, require the attendance at a time and
place to be mentioned in the summons of any person either to give evidence or to produce any
document or thing.
(2) In the case of a witness amendable to military, naval or air force authority, the summons
shall be sent to his commanding officer and such officer shall serve it upon him accordingly.
(3) In the case of any other witness, the summons shall be sent to the magistrate within
whose jurisdiction he may be or reside, and such magistrate shall give effect to the summons as if the
witness were required in the court of such magistrate.
(4) When a witness is required to produce any document or thing in his possession or
power, the summons shall describe it with reasonable precision.
(5) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to affect the Evidence Act, 1872 (I of 1 872),
sections 123 and 124, or to apply to any letter, postcard, telegram or other document in the custody of
the postal or telegraph authorities.

1Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 21.
2The redundant word “the” has been omitted in printing.
3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (15 of 1965), s. 4, for “Court”.

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(6) If any document in such custody is, in the opinion of any district magistrate, high court,
or court of session wanted for the purpose of any court martial, such magistrate or court may require
the postal or telegraph authorities, as the case may be, to deliver such document to such person as such
magistrate or court may direct.
(7) If any such document is, in the opinion of any other magistrate or of any commissioner
of police or district superintendent of police, wanted for any such purpose, he may require the postal
or telegraph authorities, as the case may be, to cause search to be made for and to detain such document
pending the orders of any such district magistrate, high court or court of session.
1[110. Commission for the examination of witness.__ (1) Whenever, in the course of trial by
a court-martial, it appears to the court that the examination of a witness is necessary for the ends of
justice, and that the attendance of such witness cannot be procured without an amount of delay, expense
or inconvenience which in the circumstances of the case, would be unreasonable, such court may, if it
thinks necessary, issue a commission in the manner specified in Chapter XL of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1898, (Act V of 1898), according as the witness resides in a place in or outside Pakistan.
(2) The court may be adjourned for a specified time reasonably sufficient for the execution
and return of the commission.
(3) Such a commission shall be executed by the magistrate or officer to whom it is issued
in the same manner as if it was issued in the trial of a 2[*] case under the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1898 (Act V of 1898), or of any corresponding law in force at the place where the evidence is recorded;
and shall be returned, together with the deposition of the witness examined thereunder, to the Judge
Advocate General.
(4) The Judge Advocate General will forward the same to the court -martial who issued it
or, if the said court -martial is in the meanwhile dissolved, to another court -martial convened for the
trial of the accused in respect of the same charge and any deposition so taken shall be recorded in
evidence and shall form part of the proceedings of the court.
Explanation.__ The expression “Judge Advocate General” means the Judge Advocate General,
Pakistan Army, and includes a Deputy Judge Advocate General.]
111. Conviction of one offence permissible on charge of another.__ (1) A person charged
before a court martial with desertion may be found guilty of attempting to desert or of being absent
without leave.
(2) A person charged before a court martial with attempting to desert may be found guilty
of being absent without leave.
(3) A person charged before a court martial with any one of the offences specified in
clauses (a) and (b) of section 40 may be found guilty of any other of these offences with which he
might have been charged.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army and Air Force (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1964 (6 of 1964), s. 2, for the original section 110, as amended by A.O., 1961, the
Repealing and Amending Ordinance, 1961 (1 of 1961) and the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1962 (58 of 1962).
2Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1983 (39 of 1983), s. 4.

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(4) A person charged before a court martial with an offence punishable under section 59
may be found guilty of any other offence of which he might have been found guilty if the provisions
of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898), had been applicable.
(5) A person charged before a court martial with any offence under this Act may, on failure
of proof of an offence having been committed in circumstanc es involving a more severe punishment
be found guilty of the same offence as having been committed in circumstances involving a less severe
punishment.
(6) A person charged before a court-martial with any offence under this Act may be found
guilty of having attempted to commit, or of abetment of, that offence although the attempt or abetment
is not separately charged.
(7) A person charged before a court martial with using or attempting to use, criminal force,
to his superior officer, knowing or having reaso n to believe him to be such may be found guilty of
having committed an assault on such superior officer.
112. Rules of evidence to be the same as in criminal courts. Subject to the provisions of
this Act, the rules of evidence in proceedings before courts martial shall be the same as those which
are followed in criminal courts.
113. Judicial notice. A court-martial may take judicial notice of any matter within the
general military knowledge of the members.
114. Presumption as to signatures. In any proceedin gs under this Act, any application,
certificate, warrant, reply or other document purporting to be signed by an Officer in the service of the
Government shall, on production, be presumed to have been duly signed by the person by whom and
in the character in which it purports to have been signed until the contrary is proved.
115. Enrolment paper.__ (1) Any enrolment paper purporting to be signed by an enrolling
officer shall, in proceedings under this Act, be evidence that the person enrolled gave the answer s
which he is therein represented as having given.
(2) The enrolment of such person may be proved by the production of his enrolment paper
or a copy of his enrolment paper purporting to be certified to be a true copy by the officer having the
custody of the enrolment paper.
116. Presumption as to certain documents. __ (1) A letter, return or other document with
respect to a person,
(i) having, or not having, at any time served in, or been discharged from any part
of the armed forces of Pakistan, or
(ii) having, or not having, held any rank or appointment in, or been posted or
transferred to any part of such forces, or having or not having served in any
particular country or place, or
(iii) being, or not being, authorised to use or wear a ny naval, military or air force
decoration, medal, me tal ribbon, badge, wound stripe or emblem, the use or
wearing of which by an unauthorised person is, by any law in force for the time
being, an offence,

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if purporting to be signed by or on behalf of a Secretary to the 1[Federal Government],
or on behalf of the Pakistan Military, Naval or Air Force Headquarters, or by the commanding
officer or the officer or record officer having the custody of the records of any portion of those
forces or of any of the ships of Pakistan Navy to which such person appears to have belonged,
or alleges that he belongs or had belonged, shall, be evidence of the facts stated in such letter,
return or other document.
(2) Any army, navy or air force list or gazette purporting to be published by authority shall
be evidence of the status and rank of the officers, Junior commissioned officers or warrant officers ,
therein mentioned, and of any appointment held by such officers, junior commissioned officers or
warrant officers and of th e corps, unit, battalion, ship, arm, branch or department of the service to
which such officers, junior commissioned officers or warrant officers belong.
(3) Where a record is made in any service book in pursuance of this Act or of any rules
made thereunder or otherwise in pursuance of duty and purports to be signed by the commanding
officer or by the officer whose duty it is to make such record, such record shall be evidence of the facts
thereby stated.
(4) A copy of any record in any service book purporting to be certified to be a true copy by
the officer having the custody of such book shall be evidence of such record.
(5) Where any person subject to this Act is being tried on a charge of desertion or of absence
without leave and such person has s urrendered himself into the custody of, or has been apprehended
by, any officer, or any portion, of the armed forces of Pakistan, a certificate purporting to be signed by
such officer, or by the commanding officer of that portion of the armed forces and stating the fact, date
and place of such surrender or apprehension, shall be evidence of the matter so stated.
(6) Where any person subject to this Act is being tried on a charge of desertion or of absence
without leave and such person has on arrest or surre nder been taken to a police station in Pakistan, a
certificate purporting to be signed by the officer -in-charge of that police station, and stating, the fact,
date and place of such surrender or apprehension shall be evidence of the matters so stated.
(7) Any document purporting to be a report under the hand of any Chemical Examiner or
Assistant Chemical Examiner to the Government of Pakistan upon any matter or thing duly submitted
to him for examination or analysis and report may be used as evidence in any proceeding under this
Act.
117. Reference by accused to Government officer.__ (1) If at any trial, or other
proceedings, for desertion or absence without leave, overstaying leave, or not rejoining when warned
for service, the accused states in his defence any sufficient or reasonable excuse for his unauthorised
absence, and refers in support thereof to any officer in the service of the Government or if it appears
that any such officer is likely to prove or disprove the said statement in the defence the court or officer
conducting the proceedings shall address such officer and adjourn the court or proceedings until his
reply is received.
(2) The written reply of any officer so addressed shall, if signed by him, be received in
evidence and have the same effec t as if made on oath before the court or officer conducting the
proceedings.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973, (51 of 1973), s. 3.

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(3) If the court martial is dissolved before receipt of such reply or if it omits to comply with
the provisions of this section, the convening officer may, at his discretion, annul the proceedings and
order a fresh trial by the same or another court martial.
118. Evidence of previous convictions and general character. __ (1) When any person
subject to this Act has been convicted by a court martial of any offence, such court martial may inquire
into, and receive and record evidence of, any previous convictions of such person, either by a court
martial or by a criminal court, and may further inquire into and record the general character of such
person, and such other matters as may be prescribed.
(2) Evidence received under this section may be either oral, or in the shape of entries in, or
certified extracts from, service records, and it shall not be necessary to give notice before trial to the
person tried that evidence as to his previous convictions or character will be received.
(3) At a summary court martial, the officer holding the trial may, if he thinks fit, record any
previous convictions against the offender, his general character, and such other matters as may be
prescribed, as of his own knowledge, instead of requiring them to be proved under the foregoing
provisions of this section.
CHAPTER X
COMFIRMATION AND REVISION OF FINDING AND SENTENCES.
119. Finding and sentence not valid unless confirmed. No finding or sentence of a general,
district or field general court martial shall be valid except in so far as it may be confirmed as provided
by this Act.
120. Power to confirm finding and sentence of general court martial. The finding and
sentence of a general court martial may be confirmed by the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently
the Chief of the Defense Forces ] or by an officer empowered in this behalf by warrant of the 1[Chief
of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces].
121. Power to confirm finding and sentence of District court martial. The finding and
sentence of a district court martial may be confirmed by an officer having power to convene a general
court martial or by any officer empowered in this behalf by warrant of any such officer.
122. Limitation of powers of confirming authority. A warrant issued under section 120 or
section 121 may contain such restrictions, reservations or conditions as the officer issuing it may think
fit.
123. Power to confirm finding and sentence of field general court martial. The finding
and sentence of a field general court martial may be confirmed by the convening officer or 2[, if it is
not practicable for the convening officer to do so by reason of his absence on leave or otherwise or the
convening officer so directs,] by an authority superior to him.

124. Power of confirming authority to mitigate, remit or commute sentences. Subject to
such restrictions, reservations or conditions, as may be contained in any warrant issued un der section
120 or section 121, a confirming officer may, when confirming the sentence of a court martial, mitigate
or remit the punishment thereby awarded, or commute that punishment for any less punishment or
punishments to which the offender might have been sentenced by court martial or if that punishment

1Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.
2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1983 (39 of 1983), s. 5.

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is death or 1[imprisonment for life], for any less punishment or punishments mentioned in this Act:
2[Provided that a sentence awarded as hadd under any Islamic law shall not be so mitigated,
remitted or commuted otherwise than in accordance with such law.],
3[* * * * * * *]
125. Confirmation of finding and sentence on board a ship .__ When any person subject
to this Act is tried and sentenced by a court martial while on board a ship the finding and sentence so
far as not confirmed and executed on board the ship may be confirmed and executed in like manner as
if such person had been tried at the port of disembarkation.
126. Revision of finding and sentence. __ (1) Any finding or sentence of a court martial
which requires confirmation may be once revised by order of the confirming officer 4[or convening
authority], and, on such revision, the court, if so directed by him, may take additional evidence.
(2) The court, on revision, shall consist of the same officers as were present when the
original decision was passed unless any of those officers are unavoidably absent.
(3) In case of such unavoidable absence, the cause thereof shall be duly r ecorded in the
proceedings and the court shall proceed with the revision, provided that, if a general court martial, it
still consists of five officers or, if a field general or district court martial, of three officers.
127. Finding and sentence of a summ ary court martial. The finding and sentence of a
summary court martial shall not require to be confirmed, but may be carried out forthwith:
Provided that if the officer holding the trial is of less than five years’ service, he shall not,
except on active service, carry into effect any sentence until it has received the approval of 5[an officer
having power to convene a district court martial].
128. Transmission of proceedings of a summary court martial. The proceedings of every
summary court martial shall without delay be forwarded to 6[an officer having power to convene a
district court martial], and such officer, or any higher authority, may, for reasons based on the merits
of the case but not on any m erely technical grounds, set aside the proceedings or reduce the sentence
to any other sentence which the court might have passed [:]7
7[Provided that a sentence awarded as hadd under any Islamic law shall not be so mitigated,
remitted or commuted otherwise than in accordance with such law.].

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 22 for “transportation for Life”.
2Proviso Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ord., 1984, (36 of 1984), s. 16.
3Proviso omitted by Act 51 of 1976, s. 22.
4Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.12.
5Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1963 (9 of 1963), s. 4, for “an officer not below the rank of brigadier, who may be e mpowered in this behalf
by the Commander-in-Chief”.
6Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1958 (11 of 1958), s. 11, for “an officer not below the rank of brigadier, who may be empowered in this behalf
by the Commander-in-Chief”.
7Subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 17.

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129. Substitution of a valid finding or sentence for and invalid finding or sentence.__ (1)
Where a finding of guilty by a court martial, which has been confirmed, or which does not require
confirmation, is found for any reason to be invalid or cannot be supported by the evidence, the authority
which would have had power under section 143 to commute the punishment awarded by the sentence,
if the finding had been valid, may substitute a new finding, if the new finding could have validly been
made by the court martial on the charge and if it appears that the court martial must have been satisfied
of the facts establishing the offence specified or involved in the new finding, and may pass a sentence
for the said offence.
(2) Where a sentence passed by a court martial which has been confirmed, or which does
not require confirmation, not being a sentence passed in pursuance of a new finding substituted under
sub-section (1) is found for any reason to be invalid, the authority referred to in the sub -section may
pass a valid sentence.
(3) The punishment awarded by a sentence passed under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2)
shall not be higher in the scale of punishments than, or in excess of the punishment awarded by, the
sentence for which a new sentence is substituted under this section.
(4) For the purposes of this Act, any finding or sentence substituted in accordance with this
section for the finding or sentence of a court martial, and any sentence imposed for an offence specified
or involved in any such substituted finding, shall have effect as if it was a finding or sentence of a court
martial.
130. Provision in the case of accused being lunatic.__ (1) Whenever, in the course of a trial
by court martial, it appears to the court that the person charged is of unsound mind and co nsequently
incapable of making his defence, or that such person committed the act alleged but was by reason of
unsoundness of mind incapable of knowing the nature of the act or that it was wrong or contrary to
law, the court shall record a finding accordingly, and the president of the court, or the officer holding
the trial as the case may be, shall forthwith report the case to the confirming officer or, in the case of
a court martial whose finding does not require confirmation to the prescribed officer.
(2) The confirming officer to whom a case is reported under sub-section (1) may, if he does
not confirm the finding, take steps to have the accused person tried by the same or another court martial
for the offence with which he was originally charged
(3) The prescribed officer to whom a case is reported under sub -section (1) and a
confirming officer confirming a finding in any case so reported to him shall order the accused person
to be kept in custody in the prescribed manner, and shall report the case for the orders of the 1[Federal
Government].
(4) On receipt of a report under sub-section (3), the 1[Federal Government] may order the
accused person to be detained in a lunatic asylum or other suitable place of safe custody.
(5) Where an accused person, having been found by reason of unsoundness of mind to be
incapable of making his defence, is in custody or under detention, the prescribed officer may__
(a) if such person is in custody under sub -section (3), on the report of a medical
officer that he is capable of making his defence, or

1Subs. by the Pakistan Arm (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.

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(b) if such person is detained in a jail under sub -section (4), on a certificate of the
Inspector General of Prisons and if such person is detained in a lunatic asylum
under the said sub-section, on a certificate of any two or more of the visitors of
such asylum that he is capable of making his defence,
take steps to have suc h person tried by the same or another court martial for the offence with
which he was originally charged or, provided that the offence is a civil offence, by a criminal
court.
(6) Where any person is in custody under sub -section (3) or under detention under sub -
section (4),__
(a) if such person is in custody under sub -section (3), on the report of a medical
officer, or
(b) if such person is detained under sub-section (4), on a certificate from any of the
authorities mentioned in clause (b) of sub-section (5), that, in the judgment of
such officer or authority, such person may be released without danger of his
doing injury to himself or to any other person, the 1[Federal Government] may
order such person to be released, or to be detained in custody or to be transferred
to a public lunatic asylum if he has not already been sent to such an asylum.
(7) Where any relative or friend of any person who is in custody under sub -section (3) or
under detention under sub -section (4) desires that he shall be delivered to his care and custody, the
1[Federal Government] may, upon the application of such relative or friend and on his giving security
to the satisfaction of the 1[Federal Government] that the person delivered shall__
(a) be properly taken care of and prevented from doing injury to himself or to any
other person, and
(b) be produced for the inspection of such authority, and at such time and places, as
the 1[Federal Government] may direct,
order such person to be delivered to such relative or friend.
(8) A copy of every order made by the prescribed officer under sub -section (5) shall
forthwith be sent to the 1[Federal Government].
131. Remedy against finding and sentence of court martial.__ (1) Any person subject to
this Act who considers himself aggrieved by the finding or sentence of a general, field general or
district court martial may submit a petition, before confirmation of such finding or sentence, to the
officer empowered to confirm it and, after confirmation, to the 1[Federal Government], or the 2[Chief
of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ] or to any 3[prescribed officer who is
superior in command to] the one who confirmed such finding or sentence.
(2) Any person subject to this Act who considers himself aggrieved by the finding or
sentence of a summary court martial may submit a petition to the 1[Federal Government], or the 2[Chief
of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces], or any officer empowered to act under
section 128.
1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.
3Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 23, for certain words.

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132. Annulment of proceedings. The 1[Federal Government] or the 2[Chief of the Army
Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ] or any prescribed officer may annul the
proceedings of any court martial on the ground that they are illegal or unjust.
133. Bar of appeals. No remedy shall lie against any decision of a court martial save as
provided in this Act, and for the removal of doubt it is hereby declared that no appeal or application
shall lie in respect of any proceeding or decision of a court martial to any court exercising any
jurisdiction whatever 3[except as provided for in section 133A 4[and section 133B].
3[133A. Court of Appeals 4[for Hadd cases].__ (1) Any person to whom a court martial has
awarded a sentence of hadd under an Islamic law may, within sixty days from the date of the sentence,
prefer an appeal against the finding and sentence of the court martial to a Court of Appeals consisting
of the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ] or an officer, being a
Muslim, designated by him in this behalf, hereinafter referred to as the Court of Appeals 4[for Hadd
cases].
(2) No sentence awarded by a court martial as hadd under an Islamic law shall be executed
unless it is confirmed by the Court of Appeals 4[for Hadd cases.]
(3) The Court of Appeals 4[for Hadd cases] shall have power to__
(a) confirm the finding or sentence of both; or
(b) substitute a valid finding or sentence for an invalid finding or sentence; or
(c) call any witness for the purpose of recording additional evidence in the presence
of the parties who shall be afforded an opportunity to put any question to the
witness; or
(d) annul the proceedings of the court martial on the ground that they are illegal or
unjust; or
(e) order retrial of the accused by a fresh court.
(4) The decision of the Court of Appeals 4[for Hadd cases] shall be final and shall not be
called in question before any court or other authority.].
4[133B. Court of Appeals for other cases .__ (1) Any person to whom a court -martial has
awarded a sentence of death, imprisonment for life, imprisonment exceeding three months, or dismissal
from the service after the commencement of the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 5[1992], may,
within forty days from the date of announcement of finding or sentence or promulgation thereof,
whichever is earlier, prefer an appeal against the finding or sentence to a Court of Appeals consisting
of the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or one or more officers
designated by him in this behalf, presided by an officer not below the rank of Brigadier in the case of
General Court-Martial or Field General Court -Martial or District Court -Martial or Summary Court -
Martial convened or confirmed or countersigned by an officer of the rank of Brigadier or below as the
case may be, and one or more officers, presided by an officer not below the rank of Major General in
other cases, hereinafter referred to as the Court of Appeals:
1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.
3Added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), ss. 18. and 19.
4Added and ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1992 (28 of 1992), ss. 2,3, and 4.
5Corrigenda G. of Pak Pt. I, dated 27-01-1993.

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Provided that where the sentence is awarded by the court -martial under an Islamic law, the
officer or officers so designated shall be Muslims:
Provided further that every Court of Appeals may be attended by a judge advocate who shall
be an officer belonging to the Judge Advocate General’s Department, Pakistan Army, or , if no such
officer is available, a person appointed by the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the
Defense Forces].
(2) A Court of Appeals shall have power to__
(a) accept or reject the appeal in whole or in part; or
(b) substitute a valid finding or sentence for an invalid finding or sentence; or
(c) call may witness, in its discretion for the purpose of recording additional
evidence in the presence of the parties, who shall be afforded an opportunity to
put any question to the witness; or
(d) annul the proceedings of the court-martial on the ground that they are illegal or
unjust; or
(e) order retrial of the accused by a fresh court; or
(f) remit the whole or any part of the punishment or r educe or enhance the
punishment or commute the punishment for any less punishment or
punishments mentioned in this Act.
(3) The decision of a Court of Appeals shall be final and shall not be called in question
before any court or other authority whatsoever.]

CHAPTER XI
EXECUTION OF SENTENCES
2[134. Form of sentence of stoning to death or death.__ (1) In awarding a sentence of stoning
to death, a court martial shall direct that the sentence shall be executed in the manner provided for in
the Offence of Zina (Enforcement of Hudood) Ordinance, 1979.
(2) In awarding a sentence of death, a court martial shall, in its discretion, direct that the
offender shall suffer death by being hanged by the neck until he be dead, or shall suffer death by being
shot to death.
134A. Form of sentence of amputation of hand, foot or both or whipping.__ (1) In awarding
a sentence of amputation of hand, foot or both a court martial shall direct that the sentence shall be
executed in the manner provided for in the Offences Against Property (Enforcement of Hudood)
Ordinance, 1979 (V of 1979).

1Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.
2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance 1984 (36 of 1984), s. 20.

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(2) In awarding a sentence of whipping, a court martial shall direct that the sentence shall
be executed in the manner provided for in the Execution of the Punishment of Whipping Ordinance,
1979 (IX of 1979).]
135. Commencement of sentence of 1[imprisonment for life ] or 2[*] imprisonment or
detention. Whenever any person is sentenced under this Act to 1[imprisonment for life] , 2[*]
imprisonment or detention, the term of sentence shall, whether it has been revised or not, be reckoned
to commence on the day on which the original proceedings were signed by the president or, in the case
of summary court martial, by the court.
136. Execution of sentence of 1[imprisonment for life] or 2[*] imprisonment. Whenever
any sentence of 1[imprisonment for life] or 2[*] imprisonment is passed under this Act, or whenever
any sentence of death so passed is commuted to 1[imprisonment for life] or to 2[*] imprisonment, the
commanding officer of the person under sentence, or such other officer as may be prescribed, shall
forward a warrant in the prescribed form to the officer -in-charge of the civil prison in which such
person is to be confined, and shall forward him to such prison with the warrant:
Provided that in the case of a sentence of 2[*] imprisonment for a period not e xceeding three
months, the confirming officer, or in the case of a sentence which does not require confirmation, the
court, may direct that the sentence shall be carried out in military custody:
Provided further that, on active service, a sentence of 2[*] imprisonment may be carried out by
confinement in such place as the officer commanding the forces in the field may, from time to time,
appoint.
137. Execution of sentence of imprisonment in special cases. Whenever in the opinion of
an officer not below the rank of brigadier empowered in this behalf by the 3[Chief of the Army Staff
concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ] any sentence or portion of a sentence of imprisonment
cannot, for special reasons, be conveniently carried out in accordance with provisions of section 136
such officer may direct that such sentence or portion of sentence shall be carried out by confinement
in any civil prison or other fit place.
138. Execution of sentence of detention. Where a sentence of detention is passed under this
Act, the person on whom that sentence has been passed shall undergo the term of his detention either
in a detention barrack or in military custody, or partly in one and partly in the other, but not in a prison.
139. [Interim custody of offenders sentenced to transportation] Omitted by the Pakistan
Army (Amendment) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 26.
140. Conveyance of prisoner from place to place. A person under sentence of 2[stoning to
death, death, amputation of hand, foot or both, imprison ment for life, imprisonment, whipping] or
detention may during his conveyance from place to place, or when on board a ship or aircraft, be
subjected to such restraint as is necessary for his safe conduct and removal.
141. Communication of certain orders to civil prison officers. Whenever an order is duly
made under this Act setting aside or varying any sentence, order or warrant under which any person is
confined in a civil prison, a warrant in accordance with such order shall be forwarded by the prescribed
officer to the officer-in-charge of the prison in which such person is confined.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act 1976, (51 of 1976), s. 24.
2Subs. and omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), ss. 21-23.
3Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

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142. Execution of sentence of fine. When a sentence of fine is imposed by a court martial
under this Act, whether the trial was held within Pakistan or not, a copy of such sentence, signed and
certified by the president of the court or the officer holding the trial, as the case may be, may be sent
to any magistrate in Pakistan and such magistrate shall thereupon cause the fine to be recovered in
accordance with the provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898), f or the levy of
fines as if it were a sentence of fine imposed by such magistrate.
CHAPTER XII
PARDONS REMISSIONS AND SUSPENSION
143. Pardons and remissions.__ (1) When any person subject to this Act has been convicted
by a court martial of any offence, the 1[Federal Government] or the 2[Chief of the Army Staff
concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or any officer not below the rank of brigadier empowered
in this behalf by the 2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] may__
(i) either without conditions or upon any conditions which the person sen tenced
accepts, pardon the person or remit the whole or any part of the punishment
awarded; or
(ii) mitigate the punishment awarded or commute such punishment for any less
punishment or punishments mentioned in this Act;
Provided that a sentence of 3[* * *] rigorous imprisonment shall not be commuted for a sentence
of detention for a term exceeding the term of rigorous imprisonment awarded by the court [:]4
4[Provided further that a person to whom a sentence has been awarded as hadd under an Islamic
law shall not be pardoned, and no such sentence shall be mitigated remitted or commuted to any less
punishment or punishments, otherwise than in accordance with such law.]
(2) If any condition on which a person has been pardoned or a punishment has been
remitted is, in the opinion of the authority which granted the pardon or remitted the punishment, not
fulfilled, such authority may cancel the pardon or remission, and thereupon the sentence of the court
shall be carried into effect as if such pardon had not been granted or such punishment had not been
remitted:
Provided that, in the case of a person sentenced to 5[imprisonment for life] 4[*] imprisonment,
or detention, such person shall undergo only the unexpired portion of his sentence.
(3) When under the provisions of sub-section (5) of section 62 a non-commissioned officer
is deemed to be reduced to the ranks, such reduction shall, for the purposes of this section, be treated
as a punishment awarded by sentence of a court martial.
144. Suspension of sentence of transportation, 4[imprisonment, whipping or
detention.__ (1) Where a person subject to this Act has been sentenced by a Court martial to
5[imprisonment for life] 4[imprisonment, whipping] or detention, the 1[Federal Government], or the
2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ], or any officer empowered
to convene a general or field general court martial may suspend the sentence whether or not the
1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3.
2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.
3Certain words omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 28.
4Subs. Omitted and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), ss. 24-25.
5Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 28.

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offender has already been committed to prison or custody 1[:]
2[Provided that a sentence awarded as hadd under any Islamic law shall not be suspended
except while the offender is on active service nor otherwise than in accordance with such law.].
(2) The authority or officer specified in sub -section (1) may in the cas e of an offender so
sentenced direct that, until the orders of such authority or officer have been obtained, the offender shall
not be committed to prison or custody.
(3) The powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (2) may be exercised in th e case of any
such sentence which has been confirmed, mitigated or commuted.
145. Orders pending suspension .__ (1) Where the sentence referred to in section 144 is
imposed by a court martial other than a summary court martial the confirming officer may, when
confirming the sentence, direct that the offender be not committed to prison or to custody until the
orders of the authority or officer specified in section 144 have been obtained.
(2) Where a sentence of rigorous imprisonment or detention is awarded by a summary court
martial, the officer holding the trial or the officer authorised to approve the sentence under the proviso
to section 127 may make the direction referred to in sub-section (1).
146. Release on suspension. Where in accordance with any order passed under section 144
a sentence is suspended, the offender shall, whether he has been committed to prison or custody or not,
be released forthwith.
147. Computation of period of sentence under suspension. Any period during which a
sentence is under suspension shall be reckoned as part of the term of such sentence.
148. Power to set aside suspension or to order remission. The authority or officer
specified in section 144 may, at any time whilst a sentence is suspended, order__
(a) that the offender be committed to undergo the unexpired portion of the sentence;
or
(b) that the sentence be remitted.
149. Periodical review of suspended sentence.__ (1) Where a sentence has been suspended,
the case may at any time and shall, at intervals of not more than four months be reconsidered by the
authority or officer specified in section 144 or by an officer not below the rank of field officer duly
authorised in this behalf by the authority or officer specified in section 144.
(2) Where on such reconsideration by the officer authorised in this behalf under sub-section
(1), it appears to him that the conduct of the offender since his conviction has been such as to justify a
remission of the sentence, he shall refer the case to the authority or officer specified in section 144.

1Subs. by Ordinance, 36 of 1984, s. 25.
2Added ibid.

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150. Procedure on further sentence of offender whose sentence is suspended. Where an
offender, while a sentence on him is suspended, is sentenced for any other offence, then__
(a) if the further sentence is also suspended under this Act, the two sentences shall
run concurrently;
(b) if the further sentence is for a peri od of three months or more and is not
suspended under this Act, the offender shall also be committed to prison or
military custody on the unexpired portion of the previous sentence, but both
sentences shall run concurrently; and
(c) if the further sentence is for a period of less than three months and is not
suspended under this Act, the offender shall be committed on that sentence only,
and the previous sentence shall, subject to any order which may be passed under
section 148 or 149 continue to be suspended.
151. Scope of power of suspension. The powers conferred by section 144 or section 148
shall be in addition to and not in derogation of the powers of mitigation, remission or commutation of
sentences.
152. Effect of suspension on dismissal. __ (1) Where in addition to any other sentence, the
punishment of dismissal has been awarded by a Court martial, and such other sentence is suspended
under section 144, then, such dismissal shall not take effect until so ordered by the authority or officer
specified in section 144.
(2) If such other sentence is remitted under section 148 the punishment of dismissal shall
also be remitted.
CHAPTER XIII
PROPERTY OF DECEASED PERSONS, DESERTERS AND LUNATICS.
153. Property of deceased persons and deserters other t han officers. The following
provisions are enacted respecting the disposal of the property of every person subject to this Act, other
than an officer, who dies or deserts:__
(1) The commanding officer of the corps, unit or detachment to which the deceased person
or deserter belonged 1[or the officer commanding a station where the deceased person or deserter left
his belongings before moving to field or operational area or before deserting] shall secure all the
movable property belonging to the deceased or d eserter that is in camp or quarters, and cause an
inventory thereof to be made, and draw any pay and allowances due to such person.
(2) In the case of a deceased person who has left in a bank (including any post office savings
bank, however named) a deposit not exceeding one thousand rupees, the commanding officer 2[or the
officer commanding the station] may, if he thinks fit, require the agent, manager or other proper officer
of the bank to pay the deposit to him forthwith, and such agent, manager or other officer shall comply
with the requisition notwithstanding anything in the rules of the bank; and after the payment thereof
in accordance with such requisition, no person shall have any right in respect of the deposit except as
hereinafter provided.
1Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Second Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (40 of 1965), s. 9.
2Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Seccond Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (58 of 1965), s. 2.

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(3) In the case of a deceased person whose representative, widow or next of kin is on the
spot and has given security for the payment of regimental or other debts in camp or quarters, if any, of
the deceased, the commanding officer 1[or the officer commanding the station] shall deliver over any
property received under clauses (1) and (2) to that representative, widow or next of kin as the case may
be, and shall not further interfere in relation to the property of the deceased.
(4) In the case of deceased person whose estate is not dealt with under clause (3), and in
the case of any deserter, the commanding officer 1[or the officer commanding the station] shall cause
such of the movable property as does not consist of money to be sold by public auction, and shall pay
the regimental and other debts in camp or quarters, if any, and in the case of a deceased person, the
expenses of his funeral, ceremonies, from the proceeds of the sale and from any pay and allowances
drawn under clause (1) and from the amount of the deposit, if any, received under clause (2).
(5) The surplus, if any, shall, in the case of a deceased person, be paid to his representative,
widow or next of kin, if any, or in the event of no claim to such surplus being established, within twelve
months after the death then the same shall be remitted to the prescribed person:
Provided that the remission shall not bar the claim of any person to such surplus or any part
thereof.
(6) In the case of a deserter, the surplus, if any, shall be forthwith remitted to the prescribed
person and shall, on the expiry of three years from the date of his desertion, be forfeited to the State
unless the deserter shall in the meantime have surrendered or been apprehended.
(7) The decision of the commanding officer 1[or the officer commanding the station] as to
what are the regimental and other debts in camp or quarters of a deceased person or a deserter or as to
the amount payable therefor shall be final.
154. Disposal of certain property without production of probate, etc . P roperty
deliverable and money payable to the representative, widow or next of kin of a deceased person under
section 153 may, if the total value or amount thereof does not exceed one thousand rupees, and if the
prescribed person thinks fit, be delivered or paid to any one of them who appears to be entitled to
receive it or to administer the estate of deceased, without requiring the production of any probate,
letters of administration, succession certificate or other such conclusive evidence of title 2[:]
2[Provided that when the deceased person was attched to, or formed part of, a force which was
not on active service, the commanding officer shall obtain from the representative, widow or next of
kin of the deceased to whom the amount as aforesaid is paid an undertaking to the effect that the
amount left after payment of debts, if any, shall be distributed amongst the legal heirs of the deceased.]
155. Discharge of commanding officer prescribed person and the Government. Any
payment of money or delivery, application, sale or other disposition of any property made, or in good
faith purported to be made, by the commanding officer 1[or the officer commanding the station] or the
prescribed person in pursuance of section 153 or 154 shall be valid and shall be a ful l discharge to
those ordering or making the same and to the Government from all further liability in respect of the
property or money, but nothing herein contained shall effect the rights of any executor or administrator
or other representative, or of any creditor of a deceased person against any person to whom such
delivery or payment has been made.

1Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Second Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (58 of 1965), ss. 2 and 3.
2Subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1992, (28 of 1992), s. 5.

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156. Application of sections 153 to 155 to lunatics, etc. The provisions of sections 153 to
155 shall, so far as they can be made applicable, apply in the case of a person subject to the Act, other
than an officer who, notwithstanding anything contained in the Lunacy Act, 1912 (IV of 1912) , is
ascertained in the prescribed manner to be insane, or who, being on active service, is officially reported
missing, as if he had died on a day on which his insanity is so ascertained or, as the case may b e, on
the day on which he is officially reported missing:
Provided that in the case of a person so reported missing no action shall be taken under clauses
(2) to (5) of section 153 until he is officially presumed to be dead.
157. Property of officers. The provisions of sections 158 to 163, inclusive, shall apply to
the disposal of the property of officers subject to this Act who die or desert.
158. Powers of Committee of Adjustment.__ (1) On the death or desertion of an officer, a
Committee of Adjustment appointed in this behalf in the manner prescribed (hereinafter referred to as
the committee) shall, as soon as may be, subject to the rules made in this behalf under this Act,__
(a) secure all movable property belonging to the deceased or deserter that is in camp
or quarters and cause an inventory thereof to be made and ascertain the pay and
allowances, if any, due to him; and
(b) ascertain the amount, and provide for the payment of the regimental and other
debts in camp or quarters, if any, of the deceased or deserter.
(2) In the case of a deceased officer whose representative, widow or next of kin has given
security to the satisfaction of the committee for the payment of the regimental and other debts in camp
or quarters if any, of the deceased, the committee shall deliver any property received by it under sub-
section (1) to that representative, widow or next of kin and shall not further interfere in relation to the
property of the deceased.
(3) In the case of a deceased officer, the committee, save as may be prescribed, shall, if it
appears necessary for the payment of the regimental and other debts in camp or quarters, and the
expenses, if any, incurred by the committee, collect all moneys left by the deceased in any bank
(including any post office savings bank, however named) and for that purpose may require the agent,
manager or other proper officer of the bank to pay the moneys to the committee forthwith, and such
agent, manager or other officer shall comply with the requisition notwithstanding anything in any rules
of the bank; and when any money has been paid in compliance with the requisition under this sub -
section, no person shall have a claim against the bank in respect of such money.
(4) In the case of a deceased officer, whose estate has not been dealt with under sub-section
(2) and in the case of a deserter , the committee, save as may be prescribed, shall, for the purpose of
paying the regimental and other debts in camp or quarters, and may in any other case, sell or convert
into money such of the movable property of the deceased or deserter as does not consist of money.
(5) The committee shall, out of the money referred to in sub -sections (3) and (4), pay the
regimental and other debts in camp or quarters, if any, of the deceased or deserter and, in the case of a
deceased, also the expenses of his last illness and funeral.
(6) In the case of a deceased officer the surplus, if any, shall be remitted to the prescribed
person.

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(7) In the case of an officer who is a deserter, the surplus, if any, shall be forthwith remitted
to the prescribed person and shall, on the expiry of three years from the date of his desertion, be
forfeited to the State, unless the deserter shall in the meantime have surrendered or been apprehended.
(8) If, in any case, a doubt or difference arises as to what are the regimental and other debts
in camp or quarters of a deceased officer or a deserter or as to the amount payable therefor, the decision
of the prescribed person shall be final.
(9) For the purposes of the exercise of its duties under this section, the committee shall, to
the exclusion of all authorities and persons whomsoever, have the same rights and powers as if it had
taken out representation to the deceased, and any receipt given by the committee shall have eff ect
accordingly.
159. Disposal of surplus by the prescribed person. On receipt of the surplus referred to in
sub-section (6) of section 158 the prescribed person shall proceed as follows:__
(1) If he knows of a representative, widow or next of kin of the deceased he shall pay the
surplus to that representative, widow or next of kin;
(2) If he does not know of any such representative, widow or next of kin he shall publish
every year a notice in the prescribed form and manner for six consecutive years. I f no claim to the
surplus is made by a representative, widow or next of kin of the deceased within six months after the
publication of the last of such notices, the prescribed person shall deposit surplus together with any
income or accumulation of income accrued therefrom to the credit of the 1[Federal Government]:
Provided that such deposit shall not bar the claim of any person to such surplus or any part
thereof.
160. Disposal of certain property without production of probate, etc. Property
deliverable and money payable to the representative, widow or next of kin of a deceased officer under
section 158 or section 159 may, if the total value thereof does not exceed two thousand rupees, and if
the prescribed person thinks fit, be delivered or paid to any on e of them who appears to him to be
entitled to receive it or to administer the estate of the deceased, without requiring the production of
any probate, letters of administration, succession certificate or other such conclusive evidence of title
2[:]
2[Provided that when the deceased officer was attached to, or formed part of, a force which was
not on active service the commanding officer shall obtain from the representative , widow or next of
kin of the deceased to whom the amount as aforesaid is paid an und ertaking to the effect that the
amount left after payment of debts, if any, shall be distributed among the legal heirs of the deceased.]
161. Discharge of committee, prescribed person and the Government. Any payment of
money or delivery, application, sale or other disposition of any property made, or in good faith
purported to be made, by the committee or the prescribed person in pursuance of section 158, section
159 or section 160 shall be valid shall be a full discharge to those ordering or making the same and to
the Government from all further liability in respect of the property or money; but nothing in this section
shall affect the rights of any executor or administrator or other representative, or of any creditor of the
deceased officer against any person to whom such delivery or payment has been made.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
2Subs. and added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1992 (28 of 1992), s. 6.

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162. Property in the hands of the committee or the prescribed person not to be assets
at the place where the committee or the prescribed person is stationed. Any property coming under
section 158 into the hands of the committee or the prescribed person shall not, by reason of so coming,
be deemed to be assets or effects at the place in which that committee or prescribed person is stationed
and it shall not be necessary by reason thereof that representation be taken out in respect of that
property for that place.
163. Saving of rights of representative. After the committee has deposited with the
prescribed person the surplus of the property of any deceased officer under sub -section (6) of section
158 any representative of the deceased shall, as regards any property not collected by the co mmittee
and not forming part of the aforesaid surplus, have the same rights and duties as if section 158 had not
been enacted.
164. Applications of sections 158 to 163 to lunatics, etc. The provisions of sections 158 to
163 shall so far as they can be made applicable apply in the case of an officer who, notwithstanding
anything contained in the Lunacy Act, 1912 (IV of 1912) is ascertained in the prescribed manner, to
be insane or who, being on active service is officially reported missing, as if he had died on the day on
which his insanity is so ascertained or, as the case may be, on the day on which he is officially reported
missing:
Provided that, in the case of an officer so reported missing, no action shall be taken under sub-
sections (2) to (5) of section 158 until such time as he is officially presumed to be dead.
165. Appointment of standing committee of adjustment when officers die or desert
while on active service. When an officer dies or deserts while on active service, the references in the
foregoing sections of this Chapter to the committee shall be construed as references to the Standing
Committee of Adjustment, if any, appointed in this behalf in the manner prescribed.
166. Interpretations. For the purposes of this Chapter:__
(1) a person shall be deemed to be a deserter if he without authority has been absent from
duty for a period of 1[Thirty days] and has not subsequently surrendered or been apprehended;
(2) the expression “regimental and other debts in camp or quarters” includes money due as
military debts, namely, sums due in respect of, or of any advance in respect of__
(a) quarters;
(b) mess, band and other regimental accounts;
(c) military clothing, appointments and equipment, not exceeding a sum equal to
six months, pay of the deceased and having become due within eighteen months
before his death;
(3) “representation” includes probate and letters of administration with or without the will
annexed, and a succession certificate, constituting a person the executor or administrator of the estate
of a deceased person or authorising him to receive or realize the assets of a deceased person;
(4) “representative” means any person who has taken out representation.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 30, for “sixty days”.

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CHAPTER XIV
MISCELLANEOUS PRIVILEGES
167. Complaint against officers.__ (1) Any person subject to this Act, other than an officer,
who deems himself wronged by any superior or other officer, may, if not attached to a unit, troop or
company, complain to the officer under whose command or orders he is serving; and may if attached
to a unit, troop or company, complain to the officer commanding the same.
(2) When the officer complained against is the officer to whom any complaint should ,
under sub-section (1), be preferred the aggrieved person may complain to such officer’s next superior
officer.
(3) Every officer receiving such complaint shall examine into it for giving full redress to
the complainant or, when necessary refer it to superior authority.
(4) Every such complaint shall be preferred in such manner and through such channels as
may from time to time be specified by proper authority.
(5) The 1[Federal Government] may revise any decision by the 2[Chief of the Army Staff
concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] under sub-section (2), but otherwise the decision of the
2[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] shall be final.
168. Complaint by officers. Any officer who deems himself wronged by his commanding
officer or any superior officer and who, on due application made to his commanding officer, does not
receive the redress to which he considers himself entitled, may complain to the 1[Federal Government]
in such manner and through such channels as may from time to time be specified by proper authority.
169. Privileges of person attending courts martial.__ (1) No president or member of a
court martial, no Judge Advocate, no party to any proceedings before a court martial, or his legal
practitioner or agent, and no witness acting in obedience to a summons or order to attend a court martial
shall, while proceeding to, attending, or returning from, a court martial, be liable to arrest under civil
or revenue process.
(2) If any such person is arrested under any such process, he shall be discharged by order
of the court martial.
170. Exemption from arrest for debt.__ (1) No person subject to this Act shall, so long as
he belongs to the Pakistan Army, be liable to be arrested for debt under any process issued by, or by
the authority of, any civil or revenue court or revenue officer.
(2) The judge of any such court or the said officer shall examine into any complaint made
by any such person or his superior officer of the arrest of such person contrary to the provisions of this
section, and shall, by warrant under his hand, discharge the person, and award reasonable costs to the
complainant, who may recover those costs in like manner as he might have recovered costs awarded
to him by a decree against the person obtaining the process.
(3) For the recovery of such costs no court fee shall be payable by the complainant.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
2Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, s.2.

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171. Property exempted from attachment. Neither the arms, clothes, equipment,
accoutrement or necessaries of any person subject to this Act, nor any animal used by him for the
discharge of his duty, shall be seized, nor shall the pay and allowances of any such person or any part
thereof be attached, by direction of any civil or revenue court or any revenue officer, in satisfaction of
any decree or order enforceable against him.
172. Application of the last two foregoing sections to reservists. Every person belonging
to any of the categories of t he Reserves of the Pakistan Army constituted under the Pakistan (Army
and Air Force) Reserves Act, 1950 (XLVII of 1950), shall, when called out or engaged upon returning
from, training or service, be entitled to all the privileges accorded by sections 170 and 171 to a person
subject to this Act.
173. Priority of hearing by courts of cases in which persons subject to this Act are
concerned.__ (1) On the presentation to any court by or on behalf of any person subject to this Act of
a certificate from the proper authority, that leave of absence has been granted to him or has been
applied for by him for the purpose of prosecuting or defending any suit or other proceeding in such
court, the court shall, on the application of such person, arrange as far as may be possible, for the
hearing and final disposal of such suit or other proceeding within the period of leave so granted or
applied for.
(2) The certificate from the proper authority shall state the first and the last day of leave or
intended leave, and shall set forth a description of the case with respect to which the leave was granted
or applied for.
(3) No fee shall be payable to the court in respect of the presentation of any such certificate,
or in respect of any application by or on behalf of any such person for priority for the hearing of his
case.
(4) Where the court is unable to arrange for the hearing and final disposal of the suit or
other proceeding within the period of s uch leave or intended leave as aforesaid, it shall record its
reasons for such inability and shall cause a copy thereof to be furnished to such person on his
application without any payment whatever by him in respect of the application for such copy or of the
copy itself or otherwise.
(5) If in any case a question arises as to the proper authority qualified to grant such
certificate as aforesaid such question shall be at once referred by the court to the officer commanding
the corps or unit concerned, whose decision shall be final.
174. Order for custody and disposal of property pending trial in certain cases. When
any property regarding which any offence appears to have been committed, or which appears to have
been used for the commission of any offence, is produced before a court martial during a trial, the
court may make such order as it thinks fit for the proper custody of such property pending the
conclusion of the trial and, if the property is subject to speedy or natural decay, may, after recording
such evidence as it thinks necessary, order it to be sold or otherwise disposed of.
175. Order for disposal of property regarding which offence committed.__ (1) After the
conclusion of a trial before a court martial, the court or the officer confirming the finding or sentence
of such court martial, or any authority superior to such officer, or, in the case of the trial by summary

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court martial, 1[an officer having power to convene a district court martial], may make such order as it
or he thinks fit for the disposal by destruction, confiscation, delivery to any person claiming to be
entitled to possession thereof or otherwise of any property or document produced before the court or
in its custody, or regarding which any offence appears to have been committed or which has been used
for the commission of any offence.
(2) Where any order has been made under sub-section (1) in respect of property regarding
which an offence appears to have been committed, a copy of such order signed and certified by the
authority making the same may, whether the trial was held within Pakistan or not, be sent to a
magistrate in any district in which such property for the time being is, and such magistrate shall
thereupon cause the order to be carried into effect as if it was an order passed by such magistrate under
the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (V of 1898).
Explanation.__ In this section the term “property” includes in the case of property regarding
which an offence appears to have been committed, not only such property as has been originally in the
possession on under the control of any person, but also any property into or for which the same may
have been converted or exchanged, and anything acquired by such conversion or excha nge whether
immediately or otherwise.
2[175A. Military, civil awards and decorations. — The Federal Government may confer
combat, non -combat, meritorious service awards, or any other awards or decorations, on serving
personnel, war wounded personnel or fami lies of Shuhada, for outstanding contributions and
performance, participation or specific achievements.
175B. Service awards. — The Pakistan Army may, in the prescribed manner, confer service
awards on serving personnel, war wounded personnel, families of Shuhada on the basis of
performance, participation, rank specific achievements or otherwise:
Provided that all such activities already undertaken shall always be deemed to have been validly
done under this Act.
175C. Welfare and rehabilitation .— The Pakistan Army may, in the manner as may be
prescribed, carry out activities for the purpose of welfare and rehabilitation of serving, retired or
wounded personnel as well as families of Shuhada:
Provided that all such activities already undertaken shall always be deemed to have been validly
done under this Act.
175D. Welfare through affiliated entities.— The Pakistan Army may, in the manner as may
be prescribed through its affiliated entities, carry out activities that relate to or generate proceeds for,
inter alia , welfare and rehabilitation of serving and retired personnel of Pakistan Army, wounded
personnel, as well as families of Shuhada:
Provided that all such activities already undertaken shall always be deemed to have been validly
done under this Act.

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act 1963 (9 of 1963), s. 5, for “an officer not below the rank of brigadier empowered in t his behalf by the
Commander-in-Chief”.
2Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.13.

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175E. National development.— The Pakistan Army may, upon direction or with the concurrence
of relevant authorities of the appropriate government in the prescribed manner, directly or indirectly, carry
out activities related to, inter alia, national development and advancement of national or strategic interest:
Provided that all such activities already undertaken shall be deemed to be and always to have been
validly done under this Act.
Explanation.— “appropriate government” means the Federal Government or Provincial
Government as the case may be.]
CHAPTER XV
RULES
176. Powers to make rules.__ (1) The 1[Federal Government] may make rules 2for the purpose
of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred by sub -section (1), such rules
may provide for__
(a) the 3[appointment, reappointment, 4[retention] or extension] retirement, release,
4[resignation,] discharge, removal or dismissal from the service of persons subject
to this Act 3[, including the 5[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the
Defense Forces] 5[and the Commander of the National Strategic Command, except
a Field Marshal to whom the provisions of Article 243 of the Constitution of the
Islamic Republic of Pakistan shall apply to the extent of any inconsistency]];
(b) the specification of punishments which may be awarded as field punishments under
sections 23 and 61;
(c) the assembly and procedure of Courts of inquiry 6[the recording of summaries of
evidence and the abstracts of evidence] and the administration of oaths and
affirmations by such courts;
(d) the convening and constitution of courts martial 7[and the Court of Appeals] ;
(e) the adjournment, dissolution and sittings of courts martial 7[and the Court of
Appeals];
(f) the procedure to be observed in trials by courts martial 8[and the Court of Appeals],
and the qualifications of legal practitioners who appear thereat;
(g) the confirmation, revision and annulment of, and petitions against, the findings and
sentences of courts martial;
(h) the carrying into effect of sentences of courts martial 7[and the Court of Appeals];

1Subs. by the Pakistan Army, (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3, for “Central Government”.
2For the Pakistan Army Act Rules, 1954, see Gaz. of Pak., 1955, Ext., pp. 251-388.
3Added By Act I of 2020, s.4...(w.e.f. 27-11-2019.)
4Ins. by Act LXII of 2023, s.14.
5Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, ss.2 & 9.
6Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (15 of 1965), s. 5.
7Added by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s, 26.
8Ins. ibid.

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(i) the forms and orders to be made under the provisions of this Act relating to courts
martial 1[and the court of Appeals] and sentences of 1[stoning to death, death,
amputation of hand, foot or both, imprisonment for life, imprisonment, detention
or whipping] ;
(j) the constitution of authorities to decide for what persons, to what amounts and in
what manner provision should be made for dependents under section 71 and the
due carrying out of such decisions;
(k) the relative rank of, and powers of command to b e exercised by, officers, junior
commissioned officers, warrant officers, petty officers and non -commissioned
officers of the Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force, when acting together;
(l) deductions on account of public and regimental debts from the pay and allowances
of persons subject to this Act; 2[*]
2[(la) the activities related to welfare and rehabilitation of retired and serving Army
personnel, wounded personnel and families of Shuhada; and
(lb) the activities connected with or resulting in public utility, national development,
disaster relief, advancement of national or strategic interests; and]
(m) any matter in this Act directed to be prescribed.
(3) All rules made under this Act shall be published in the official Gazette and, on such
publication shall have effect as if enacted in this Act.
3[176A. Power to make regulations. The 4[Federal Government] may make regulations for the
governance, command, discipline, recruitment, terms and conditions of service, rank, precedence, and
administration of the Pakistan Army 5[including, appointment, reappointment, extension or retirement of
the 6[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ] 6[and the Commander of the
National Strategic Command, except a Field Marshal to whom th e provisions of Article 243 of the
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan shall apply to the extent of any inconsistency] ] and
generally for all or any of the purposes of this Act 2[* * *].
2[176AA*. Power to issue instructions.– The 6[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of
the Defense Forces ] may, from time to time, make and issue instructions for carrying into effect the
provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations made thereunder:
Provided that all such instructions already made and issued shall always be deemed to have been
validly made and issued under this Act.]
7[176B. Reference to Commander -in-Chief in other Laws.__ Reference in any law, and in any
rule, regulation, bye-law, notification, order, warrant, bond, document or other instrument made or issued
under any law, to the “Commander-in-Chief” in relation to the Pakistan Army shall be construed as
reference to the 6[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces].

1Ins. and subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1984 (36 of 1984), s.26.
2Omitted and ins. by Act LXII of 2023, ss.14-16. (*newly inserted section 176AA appears as 176A in Gazette notification)
3New section 176A ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (15 of 1965), s. 6
4Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act 1973 (51 of 1973), s. 3., for “Central Government”.
5Added by Act I of 2020, s.5 (w.e.f. 27-11-2019.)
6Subs. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, ss. 2 & 10.
7Ins. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of 1976), s. 32.

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176C. Delegation of powers of the 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the
Defense Forces]. __ 1[(1) The Federal Government may, on the recommendation of the Chief of the
Army staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces and by order in writing, authorise the officer
appointed as Vice Chief of the Army Staff or Deputy Chief of the Army Staff to exercise and perform
such of the powers and functions vested i n the Chief of the Army Staff under any law, rules,
regulations, orders or instructions for the time being in force as may be so specified]
(2) 2[The Vice 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces] or,
as the case may be, the] Deputy 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces]
shall exercise the powers and perform the functions conferred upon him under sub -section (1) in
accordance with such general or special direction as may be given in that behalf by the Federal
Government 1[, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Army S taff concurrently the Chief of the
Defense Forces].
3[(3) The 1[Chief of the Army Staff concurrently the Chief of the Defense Forces ] may
delegate any of his powers and functions conferred by, or delegated under, this Act to any officer or
authority subordinate to him.]
3[176D. Validation.— On commencement of the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 2023 ( of
2023) and notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, all rules,
regulations, instructions and orders issued and acti ons taken in purported exercise thereof, from time
to time, shall always be deemed to have been validly issued, made, taken or done under this Act and
shall not be called in question on any ground whatsoever.]
3[176E. Overriding effect. — The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding
anything inconsistent contained in any other law, rules or regulations for the time being in force and
such law, rules or regulations shall, to the extent of any inconsistency, cease to have effect.]
177. [Repeals.] Omitted by the Federal Law s (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981
(27 of 1981), s. 3 and 2nd Sch.
Chapter XVI. [Transitory Provisions] Omitted by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Act, 1976 (51 of
1976), s. 33.
[The Schedule].__ Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981
(27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. II.

Date: 19-11-2025
7033052
1Subs. and ins. by Act No. XXXIII of 2025, ss.2 & 11.
2Subs. by the Pakistan Army (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1980 (37 of 1980), s. 2, (w.e.f. 1-5-1980)
3Subs. and ins. by Act LXII of 2023, ss.17-19.

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Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

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l Government] may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf. 4[1A. Raising and maintaining the Army. — (1) Subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President shall raise and maintain the Pakistan Army and its reserves in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the rules, regulations and instructions made and issued, thereunder. (2) Subject to the provisions of