'No Provision for VCOAS or DCOAS in Army Act'

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani government officials dismissed circulating document claiming amendments to Section 176C of the Army Act, calling it fake and misleading.

A viral picture, which appeared to show a new provision allowing the appointment of Vice Chief or Deputy Chief of Army Staff, has been confirmed as fabricated. Officials said that no such amendment has been made to the Pakistan Army Act (Act XXXIX of 1952).

The picture falsely suggested changes empowering the Federal Government to authorize additional army posts. Government representatives urged the public to rely only on official gazette notifications and to avoid sharing unauthenticated documents on social media.

No Provision For Vcoas Or Dcoas In Army Act

Authorities have reiterated that no new designations such as VCOAS or DCOAS exist in the Army Act as currently amended. Investigations are underway to trace the origin of the misleading post.

Army Act

Pakistan’s federal Cabinet approved amendments to Army Act, Pakistan Air Force Act, and Pakistan Navy Act. The approval came during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Parliament House.

The purpose of these amendments is to align the laws governing Pakistan’s armed forces with the Twenty-seventh Constitutional Amendment. In light of the changes introduced through Article 243 of the Constitution, the Cabinet has endorsed the required legislative adjustments, which also define the tenure of the Chief of Defence Forces.

Under the new amendments, the position of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee will be abolished following the retirement of the current officeholder. Ranks of Field Marshal, Marshal of the Air Force, and Admiral of the Fleet have been formally incorporated into the relevant service laws. The Cabinet also granted approval for the Federal Constitutional Court (Procedure and Practice) Act, 2025.