New developments reported from SC over COAS General Qamar Bajwa tenure extension case
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ISLAMABAD: *New developments reported from Supreme Court over COAS General Qamar Bajwa tenure extension case.*
The Supreme Court (SC) has adjourned the hearing on a petition challenging the extension given to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa till tomorrow (Thursday).
A Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Mian Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah heard the case today.
The army chief is being represented by Farogh Naseem, who resigned from his post as law minister yesterday to pursue the case. Naseem also submitted his power of attorney upon arrival at the court.
The hearing will be resumed on Thursday (tomorrow) at 1:00 pm.
During the hearing, Justice Khosa remarked that the amendment in Army Rule could not be applied to the rank of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) as the Army Chief is a commander which is a separate category.
Justice Khosa questioned Farogh Naseem for the time for the retirement of the Army Chief. Naseem answered that the tenure of COAS will expire on Thursday’s 12:00 midnight.
“How can a federal government extends the tenure of an army chief if it is not making an appointment? Is it possible to consider the retirement after conclusion of a tenure?” questioned Justice Shah.
“There is no age limit set for the retirement of a general,” said the attorney general.
“It means that a retired general can be appointed as an Army Chief. This will also allow to make you the Army Chief,” remarked Justice Shah.
CJP Khosa said that the notification was issued for re-appointment, posting and an extension in the summary.
“This matter needs an immediate decision. We have to nullify the appointment citing such mistakes. It is sorrowful that this shouldn’t be emerged on the matter related to the Army Chief. The Army Chief never retires until he gives charge to another chief. It is a position of Chief of Army Staff but not the Chief of Army Service.”
Later, the top court adjourned the hearing till Thursday which would be resumed at 1:00 pm tomorrow.
