SC to resume hearing of COAS’s extension case today

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court will resume hearing of the case related to the extension in service of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa today.

A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Mian Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah will hear the case.

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

Earlier on Wednesday, the judges heard the case of COAS. CJP Khosa remarked that the media had misunderstood Tuesday’s proceedings and clarified that the court had not taken a suo motu notice.

In this regard, Barrister Farogh Naseem who recently resigned as Law Minister to pursue army chief’s e case while Attorney General (AG) Anwar Mansoor Khan presented arguments on behalf of the government.

The Supreme Court had earlier issued notices to the president, the prime minister and the federal government for extending the extension of the army chief for three years and asked an explanation for it.

However, the federal cabinet canceled the army chief’s previous extension order that was signed by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The cabinet approved an amendment in Rule 255 of Army regulation in order to justify before the court its move.

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

Justice Khosa remarked that the Constitution doesn’t allow re-appointment or extension in the service of the army chief.

According to the Army Rules, the verbal order said that the retirement of an army official can only be temporarily suspended.

Prime Minister earlier on 19th August appointed General Qamar Javed Bajwa as Chief of Army Staff for another term of three years from the date of completion of current tenure.

According to the prime minister, the decision was taken in view of the regional security environment.

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

Read more: Law Minister Farogh Naseem resigns

General Bajwa took command of the 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.