Army chief’s extension is political, not legal issue: Fawad

ISLAMABAD: The government is embroiled in another fiasco after the extension in the tenure of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa after the Supreme Court suspended the notification in this regard.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry, claims extension in General Bajwa’s tenure was the unanimous decision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and cabinet members.

Speaking to a private news channel on Wednesday, the federal minister said the issue is a political, not a legal one. He said the Pakistan Army is an organised institution which is working under the command of the army chief. He said the status of president, prime minister and chief justice is the same.

He further said the decision to extend the tenure of General Bajwa was the unanimous decision of the federal cabinet and the prime minister. He added that the cabinet members were united on its decision for the army chief’s extension in the favour of national interest.

The minister said Prime Minister Imran Khan always gives approval to the unanimous decisions of the cabinet.

He emphasised on understanding the importance of the army chief’s position. He said the process to appoint the head of each institution is different from others, as this is not a matter of giving an extension to the Grade 17 or 18 officers.

Chaudhry added that the federal government had complied with the Supreme Court’s orders to meet the legal requirements of army chief’s extension. He also urged to look at bigger picture instead of inspecting its technical perspectives.

The apex court noted that the prime minister had himself passed an order reappointing army chief for the second term on August 19 whereas, under Article 243 of the Constitution, it is the president who is the appointing authority.

The government on August 19 notified the reappointment of General Bajwa extending his tenure by three years.