
Pakistan Army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa. SS Mirza—AFP
Notification of extension to remain suspended until hearings resume tomorrow
Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa on Tuesday suspended till tomorrow the government notification extending the tenure of Army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa for another three years.
A three-member bench, comprising the Chief Justice along with Justice Mazhar Alam and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, was hearing a petition filed by the Jurist Foundation. The petitioner had challenged the extension of the Army chief, who is set to retire on Nov. 29, urging the court to declare it null and void and illegal.
“Only the President of Pakistan can extend the tenure of the Army chief,” Justice Khosa said during the hearing, in reference to Gen. Bajwa’s extension being notified by the Prime Minister’s Office in August.
“General Qamar Javed Bajwa is appointed Chief of Army Staff for another term of three years from the date of completion of current tenure,” the statement issued by the P.M. Office had stated, adding that the decision was being taken in view of the prevailing regional security situation.
Defending the move, Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan said the Army chief’s tenure had not been extended without securing President Arif Alvi’s approval. “The summary has been approved by the federal cabinet,” he added. However, the court questioned why a majority of the cabinet had not approved the extension, as only 11 of 25 members voted in favor of it.
The court also questioned the reasoning behind the extension. “Dealing with regional security situation is the job of the Army as an institution, not just of an officer’s,” said the top judge during the proceedings. “If the regional security situation reasoning is accepted, then every Army officer would want a re-appointment.”
The court has issued notices to the defense ministry, the federal government and Gen. Bajwa for the next hearing, which will take place tomorrow (Wednesday).
9 comments
Supereme Court , should take SUO MOTO on Model Town Murders cases…
Although I am a great supporter and fan of Gen Bajwa, he being in my platoon in PMA as first term cadet but in principle I do not recommend extension in the tenure of COAS because the institution is not that fragile that it is dependent on one person, furthermore many capable and hardworking officers in the line up unnecessarily suffer.
Fed Govt is legally empowered to grant extn to COAS under Army Regulation.
Federal government has politicised army, an institution must be allowed to function as per rules, by giving extention, a harm is being deeply caused to the spirit of army
lthough I am a great supporter and fan of Gen Bajwa, he being in my platoon in PMA as first term cadet but in principle I do not recommend extension in the tenure of COAS because the institution is not that fragile that it is dependent on one person, furthermore many capable and hardworking officers in the line up unnecessarily suffer.
At this moment of strategic events in the region ,continuation is essetial
The Indian army has not given a single extension to their COAS in the past 70 years.
The British Army upon whom our system is based has not given any extensions to army chiefs.
What is the rationale for Pakistan to give extensions?
Well. You should be independent and not observe what others do but rather concentrate on your own country.
BTW it is not up to you to decide for his extension.
In my opinion,he should continue with the same position.Court should give him extension.