COAS extension: Govt sends new summary for approval

The government has sent a new summary to cabinet members for extending the tenure of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired an important meeting in Prime minister house owing to the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s decision regarding the extension in service of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

During the meeting consultations were held over the amendments made in the rules of the Army Act.

The government’s legal team briefed the Prime Minister and the cabinet about the objections raised by the apex court in the case during Wednesday’s hearing.

The premier directed Faroogh Naseem to appear before the supreme court with full Preparations.

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, former law minister Farogh Naseem, Attorney General, the government’s legal team, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar and Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari were present during the meeting.

Earlier on 26 November, Supreme Court of Pakistan has suspended the notification extending Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure for another three years.

The chief justice while suspending the notification said that the prime minister did not hold the authority to extend the tenure of the army chief, as that power rested only with the president.

On August 19, Prime Minister Imran Khan had approved the extension of General Qamar Javed Bajwa as the Chief of Army Staff.

Back in August Prime Minister’s office issued a notification citing that, General Qamar Javed Bajwa is appointed Chief of Army Staff for another term of three years from the date of completion of current tenure.