Will support govt over Army Amendment Act: PML-N leader

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Mushahidullah Khan has announced to support the incumbent government over the Army Amendment Act.

Mushahidullah Khan said that his party had no objection related to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure.

The PML-N leader said that the premier could get powers to extend an army chief’s tenure. Meanwhile, in this regard, the ruling party leaders met the PML-N workers at the Parliament House today.

Earlier on Wednesday, the federal cabinet chaired under Imran Khan approved an Army Amendment Act in the case related to the extension in tenure of COAS. 

The federal cabinet approved the amendment bill after the Supreme Court earlier directed the government to legislate the tenure of Chief of Army Staff within six months.

In November 2019 SC suspended Prime Minister’s order extending the tenure of COAS General Bajwa but later the court extended it to six months.

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.

Read more: SC to resume hearing of COAS’s extension case today

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

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.