Summary A three-member bench will hear the case on October 2.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Supreme Court has admitted a plea seeking appointment of Chief of Army Staff for hearing.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry will hear the case on October 2.
The plea, submitted by Shahid Orakzai stated that the most competent person should be considered for the post of army chief irrespective of their relative seniority under the constitution.
Meanwhile, service tenure of Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani is likely to get extended for another term, according to sources.
General Kayani, arguably the most powerful man in the country, is scheduled to step down from the post after six years in November.
However, the federal government sources disclosed that Kayani had been a key figure in dialogue with Afghanistan in war on terror, Karachi operation and the expected peace talks with Taliban, therefore, the government is considering to extend his service in the best of national interest.
The high officials are considering all the possible options while a final decision would be taken on return of PM Nawaz, the sources added.
It is also under consideration to appoint Kayani as chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff committee or extend his service for another year only.
PML-N had never expressed any reservations against Kayani.
Nevertheless, the Pakistani military has meddled less in politics under Kayani, earning him a reputation as a pragmatic soldier willing to ease the military s grip on political affairs and publicly endorse democracy.
