PM informed about court proceedings on extension in COAS Bajwa's tenure

PM informed about SC's proceedings on extension in COAS Bajwa's tenure

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Farogh Naseem, who has recently resigned as Federal Minsiter for Law, and Attorney General Anwar Mansoor on Wednesday have met Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan in Islamabad. During the meeting, Farogh Naseem and Attorney General informed the premier about the Supreme Court (SC) proceedings over petition filed against the three-year extension granted to Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. It is to be mentioned here that SC’s three-member bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Mian Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah remarked that the court has been hearing the case on the petition filed by Riaz Rahi and have not taken suo motu notice. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah questioned whether a retired general could be appointed as the army chief? The attorney general said the amendment was made under Section 176 of the Army Act, and in the documents [presented before the court], for the absent members of the federal cabinet, it was written “waiting”. The court responded that it had given the judgement after reading those documents. “Show us the provisions of the Law upon which implementation was done for the reappointment or extension [of the army chief]?” the court asked. Mr Anwar Mansoor said he would answer the court after completing his arguments. “No book of army regulation is available in the market,” he said. “Where the term of the army chief is fixed for three years? Does the army chief retires after three years?” Justice Shah questioned. CJP Khosa further asked under which provision of the Law this new regulation was made. The attorney general responded that an amendment was made to Article 255 in accordance with Section 176 of the ARR. Moreover, the hearing was adjourned till afternoon.