ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society (PESS) on Sunday welcomed the recent struct­ural reforms introduced in the army through the 27th Cons­titutional Amendment, describing them as essential for adapting Pakistan’s defence framework to the demands of modern and digitalised warfare.

In its meeting, the society endorsed the creation of a separate Federal Constitutional Court (FCC), noting that the reform would streamline the justice system by allowing the Supreme Court to focus more effectively on constitutional matters.

The meeting concluded that, to provide central strategic direction for the country’s defence — ensuri­ng jointness, enhanced coordination, and synergy across all facets of modern, digitalised warfare — Paki­s­tan’s higher defence organisation required restructuring. This has been appropriately addressed thr­o­ugh the 27th Constitutional Ame­­­­ndment with the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

The establishment of a separate FCC was also termed a welcome step. It will allow the Supreme Court to dedicate sufficient time to its constitutional mandate while ensuring timely justice for citizens.

It added that the constitutional amendments were the prerogative of Parliament and may be undertaken as needed, provided the spirit of the Constitution, particularly the trichotomy of power, is fully upheld.

It was in Pakistan’s supreme national interest to resolve issues with Afghanistan through engagement and effective diplomacy involving regional friendly countries, the meeting said.

Indian involvement in fomenting terrorism in Pakistan through Afghan soil must be highlighted at the international level with concrete evidence, along with recommendations for FATF and UN sanctions against India for violations of global norms and international Law.

The meeting noted that since armed forces personnel retire at a comparatively young age, a specific quota for their induction into various government departments on merit should be institutionalised and effectively enforced.

The minimum pension for soldiers, sailors, airmen, and widows of martyrs should not be lower than the minimum officially prescribed wage in the country.

The meeting appreciated the government’s initiative to create a separate pension fund, partly contributed by the government and partly by the employee, for future investment and long-term self-sustainability. It said that several ex-servicemen affected by recent floods were still awaiting compensation from the respective provincial governments. The PESS urged that this process be expedited without further delay.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2025