Cabinet approves new summary for extension in army chief’s tenure

ISLAMABAD: Federal cabinet on Tuesday approved new summary for the extension in the tenure of Chief of Army Staff and sent it to president for approval.

Briefing media on the federal cabinet meeting, 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. The minister said under article 243, it is Prime Minister’s prerogative to appoint services chiefs.

Shafqat Mahmood said prime minister has the prerogative to send advice to the president on the extension in service of the Chief of Army Staff. He said the prime minister gave advice to the president under the same prerogative and president gave the approval of extension.

The minister said it is also the prerogative of the Prime Minister to decide if there is need for extension due to special circumstances.

He said the prime minister sent advice to the president due to special prevailing circumstances as India for the first time had crossed Line of Control after Kargil and attacked Balakot area of Pakistan.

He said the serious tension and shelling on LoC, the curfew exceeding one hundred days in Occupied Kashmir is also unusual development. He said there is also a risk of false flag operation by India.

He said the constant threats emanating from across the border also indicate to the special circumstances under which summary of extension was moved.

Speaking on the occasion, Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said extension in service of Army Chief General Bajwa is need of the hour.

He said the Federal Law Minister Barrister Farogh Naseem has voluntarily tendered resignation from his position.

Sheikh Rasheed said Farogh Naseem will present the government’s stance in the court along with Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan on the issue.