Supreme Court’s bench headed by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa will hear Suo Moto notice regarding extension in service of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa Today (Nov 27).
The Supreme Court on Tuesday suspended the federal government’s Aug 19 notification for the extension/reappointment of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for another term of three years after completion of his tenure on Nov 28.
Cabinet Approves New Summary for Army Chief’s Extension
The federal cabinet on Tuesday (Nov 26) has approved the summary seeking an extension for Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa through amendment in Defence Act.
According to details, the meeting of federal cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Imran reviewed the decision of Supreme Court regarding extension of COAS Bajwa. The prime minister had called an emergency meeting of the cabinet for the second time during the day.
Briefing the newsmen on the Federal Cabinet meeting in Islamabad, Minister for Education, Shafqat Mahmood said the Cabinet reviewed the situation after the verdict of the Supreme Court regarding extension in the service of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. He said the Cabinet approved amendment in the Rule 255 of Army regulation to assist the court. He said the Federal Cabinet and its allied parties have expressed complete support for extension in service of Army Chief.
Law Minister Resigns to Represent Army Chief in Court
Law Minister Farogh Naseem has resigned and will fight Chief Of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s case today (Nov 27), federal ministers confirmed after an emergency meeting of the federal cabinet concluded on Tuesday.
Federal Minister for Railway Sheikh Rashid Ahmad and Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood confirmed Naseem’s resignation and said he voluntarily left the post. “Law Minister tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Imran Khan and he will represent the government in the army chief case in the Supreme Court,” Sheikh Rashid told reporters.
SC Suspends Notification of COAS Bajwa’s Tenure Extension
Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday (Nov 26) suspended the notification confirming the extension of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa for another three years after his term expired this year.
Pakistan Supreme Court’s three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa heard petition against the extension in the tenure of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa today (Nov 26).
Supreme Court has issued notices to Army Chief, Prime Minister and other concerned parties in this regard. During the hearing of a petition challenging the extension in Gen Bajwa’s tenure, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said that only the president of Pakistan can extend the tenure of the army chief.
The attorney general (AG) had told the court that army chief’s tenure was extended after the president’s approval and the summary had been approved by the cabinet. “A similar petition was filed in the Peshawar High Court but was withdrawn later,” the AG added. Justice Masnoor Ali Shah asked Attorney General when the army chief is retiring to which he replied that November 29.
He further asked what sort of alarming situation had prompted the extension of COAS. Justice Mansoor added that no such reason was mentioned in the notification. Chief Justice Khosa stated that the extension summary was approved by only 11 of 25 members. He added that retirement can be suspended temporarily.
Army Chief Gen Bajwa’s Tenure Extended For Three Years
In August last, Prime Minister Imran Khan had approved three-year extension in the tenure of General Bajwa. “General Qamar Javed Bajwa is appointed Chief of Army Staff for another term of three years from the date of completion of current tenure,” a notification issued from the Prime Minister’s Office had said.
