Pakistan Supreme Court cuts Army chief Bajwa’s 3-year extension to 6 months for now.

Source – indiatoday.in

In a partial relief to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has extended Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure till May 2020. While a relief, the Supreme Court’s decision cuts the original three-year extension down to six months.

The court announced the verdict stating that the Pakistan government has given assurance of making required amendments in the constitution Article 243 within six months and specify the appointment, extension and tenure of the Army chief.

The Pakistan government has submitted an undertaking to the Supreme Court, assuring it of bringing a legislative amendment through the parliament within six months.

The court has also asked the Imran Khan government to guarantee that a constitutional amendment would be finalised and approved through the parliament, amending Article 243 and adding important points including specification of tenure of appointment and extension of the Army chief for three years, retirement of a four star general and clarity over pension and privileges that an Army chief and a four star general would get.

Earlier in the hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) has said that the matter of Army Chief appointment of extension has never been discussed in the court and justified through the constitution in the past. But now as this is being discussed, so all pointers will be looked into in detail and procedures will be set for the future.

The Supreme Court has highlighted that the Constitution of Pakistan is ‘silent’ on the appointment, extension or re-appointment of the Army Chief.

Now, the onus of the responsibility has been put in the hands of the Imran Khan government and the Parliament to ensure that legislations and amendment is done in the constitution within six months and then the Army Chief can get more extension if needed.

It is a major decision being undertaken by the Supreme Court of Pakistan and will act as a historical decision that establishes the fact that the powerful military of the country comes under the constitutional legal ambit and will assert that none is above the law.