Pak SC approves extension of Army chief Gen Bajwa’s service for six months

Islamabad, Nov 28: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday conditionally approved the extension of Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa's (in file pic) tenure for 6 months, who's tenure is due to end at midnight of November 28, 2019.

The Imran Khan-led government is working towards the extension of his tenure by a term or three more years.

A three-member bench headed by CJP Asif Khosa announced the landmark verdict after getting an assurance from the government that Parliament will pass a legislation on the extension/reappointment of an Army chief within six months.

Imran Khan through official notification of August 19 granted a three-year extension to General Bajwa, citing "regional security environment".

In an unprecedented move on Tuesday, Chief Justice Khosa suspended the government's order citing legal lacunas. The petition against the powerful army chief's extension was filed by a person named Raiz Rahi.

After the verdict, the Cabinet reportedly amended Section 255 of the Army Rules and Regulations and included the extension of the word in tenure to meet the legal lacuna in the rule.

The Pakistan Army, which has ruled the country for more than half of its 70 plus years of existence, has wielded upper hand in deciding matters concerning security and foreign policies.

Gen Bajwa is the second army chief to get full term extension in recent times. Earlier, Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani was given a full term in 2010.