PTI's parliamentary wing takes stock of situation

After the Supreme Court granted a six-month extension to the Army Chief, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday decided to expedite the legislation pertaining to the Army Act along with its allies to explain the tenure and extension process of chief of army staff (COAS).

A meeting of PTI's parliamentary party chaired by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who is also vice chairman of PTI, took place here in which the lawmakers agreed to make the legislation at the earliest to avoid any controversy regarding the re-appointment of army chief in future. The sources privy to the development told Business Recorder that the lawmakers were unanimous in making sure that there should be no controversy regarding appointment of the army chief, like the instant case, which brought embarrassment for the government.

He said if the law had been clear regarding extension, the apex court would not have to grant conditional extension to the Army Chief, adding that a legislation in this regard would be done soon.

The parliamentary committee expressed full confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and reiterated that any attempt by enemies - both internal and external - to spoil the 'friendly' relations between civilian and military leadership would not be allowed.

The committee expressed satisfaction over the performance of the government's legal team especially Barrister Farogh Nasim who stepped down as minister for law and justice to fight the case of the Army Chief in the apex court.