President summons National Assembly session tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has summoned a session of the National Assembly tomorrow on Wednesday December 4.

During the session, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party will likely present a bill to amend the Army Act.

The incumbent government is likely to introduce a bill for amendment to the Army Act to give legal cover to the extension of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and three services chiefs.

Read more: COAS expresses grief over passing of Naqeeb’s father

Last week the Supreme Court had allowed the federal government to grant a six-month extension to COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

In its short order, the Supreme Court ordered the government to bring necessary legislation within six months’ time.

The parliament was also directed by the court to introduce a bill for the appointment of army chief under Article 243.

Read more: Shujaat supports govt’s decision over Gen Bajwa’s extension

On 28th November, the Supreme Court granted the army chief an extension in his service for six months.

The COAS was scheduled to retire on 29th November 2019 but Imran Khan extended his services for another three years which was turned down by the supreme court.

General Bajwa took command of Pakistan Army on 29th November 2016 as the 16th Chief of Army Staff when the country had been fighting a fierce war against terror, and faced internal and external challenges.