ISLAMABAD – Defence Minister and senior PML-N leader Khawaja Asif onWednesday clarified that government has no plans to amend laws to havegreater authority over the re-appointment of the Chief of Army Staff.
As the date for picking the country’s new top general draws closer, reportsin media said Sharif-led federal government is considering to amend lawthat allows the premier to retain any serving officer without delving intothe complex procedure.
Following the reports, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif took to Twitter toclear the air. “Media hype over amendments to the Pakistan Army Act isuncalled for. The government is not considering any major changes in thesaid Act. SCP had demanded review of relevant clauses of PAA in itsjudgment in CP 39/2019, which shall be complied with in due course,” atweet shared by his account reads.
Media hype over amendments in Pakistan Army Act is uncalled for. Governmentis not considering any major changes in the said Act. SCP had demandedreview of relevant clauses of PAA in its judgement in CP 39/2019 whichshall be complied with in due course.— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) November 16, 2022link
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Earlier, Pakistan’s leading English daily reported that by tweaking thearmy act, the premier will be able to retain any candidate through a simplenotification, rather than completing the constitutional process.
The development comes as Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is set toretire on November 29 at the end of his extended tenure. The top commanderhad several months ago indicated that he planned to step down from hisduties this year.
