Cabinet approves new summary for extension in army chief’s tenure

• The cabinet made amendments in accordance with the Article 255 of Pakistan Defence Services Rules, says Mehmood.
• The minister says word extension has been added in the new notification.
• The prime minister had the prerogative to appoint services chiefs under Article 243 of the Constitution: Shafqat.

(Karachi) Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood has said that the cabinet has approved a new summary for extension in the tenure of army chief.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Shafqat Mehmood, who was flanked by Special Assistant to the PM on Accountability Shehzad Akbar and Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed  said, “The cabinet made amendments in accordance with the Article 255 of Pakistan Defence Services Rules. “Word extension has been added in the new notification,” he added.

He said the prime minister had the prerogative to appoint services chiefs under Article 243 of the Constitution.

He added that the summary was presented before the cabinet members who approved it. The minister said that the cabinet withdrew the earlier notification of army chief’s extension dated August 19 that was issued after approval from the prime minister.

Shafqat maintained that the situation along the Line of Control and Kashmir are deteriorating day by day. He said India has been involved in targeting human population from across the border that is a matter of concern.

He said that the country is facing numerous challenges, including internal and external crisis and keeping in view the current situation, the extension of General Bajwa's tenure has been approved.

He said the constant threats emanating from across the border also indicate to the special circumstances under which summary of extension was moved.

He said the army chief's stance to fight terrorism and maintain peace in the region is appreciable.

Earlier, Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa suspended the government's notification of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa's tenure extension until the top court's hearing tomorrow.

The chief justice observed that the summary and approval of army chief's extension is incorrect.

The court issued notices to defence ministry, federal government and General Bajwa, who is due to retire on November 29 .