PML-N, PPP agree to support legislation on Army act

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government contacted the opposition parties to build consensus on an amendment in the Army Act that would make it legally possible to extend General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure.

Government delegation led by Defense Minister Pervez Khattak called on the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmakers, seeking their support for the legislation.

Sources said that PML-N has agreed to support PTI government for amendments in  Army Act.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also Tweeted “Government committee arrived at Zardari house to discuss upcoming legislation. The Peoples Party wants to positively engage with the democratic legislative process. Some parties seem to want to side step the legislative process.”

“The more important the legislation the more important it is for us to follow the democratic process. PPP will take this up with other political parties as well,” Bilawal wrote.

The more important the legislation the more important it is for us to follow the democratic process. PPP will take this up with other political parties as well. 2/2

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 2, 2020

Yesterday, the Federal Cabinet approved the amendment in Tenure Extension Act of Army Chief in an emergency session held in Islamabad.

The Federal Cabinet approved the amendment in Tenure Extension Act of Army Chief.

Amendments to the Army Act approved in light of Supreme Court orders.

Premier held consultation with cabinet members over important political matters besides discussing new targets of 2020.

It is pertinent to mention here that PM Imran Khan chaired a meeting of the federal cabinet yesterday where a nine-point agenda was discussed to review the overall political and economic situation of the country.

It is to remember that, on November 28, 2019, the Supreme Court allowed the extension in the tenure of Chief of Army Staff  General Qamar Javed Bajwa by six months.

The SC and government’s representative mulled over extending a conditional three-month extension in COAS’s tenure while the government comes up with a legislation.

The government then presented a written summary undertaking that the parliament will pass legislation regarding the extension matter within six months and also an amended notification.

The amendments included the elimination of the mention of the SC, duration of the army chief’s tenure and the description of army chief’s salary and incentives.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khan Khosa and comprising Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah took up Riaz Hanif Rahi’s petition against the extension in tenure of army chief.