The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has reappointed General Qamar Javed Bajwa as the chief of army staff (COAS) for another three years. A notification issued by the Ministry of Defence, however, states that the reappointment of Gen Bajwa is with effect from November 29, 2019, and it will continue till November 28, 2022.
The notification states, "In exercise of the powers conferred under Article 243(4)(B) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 read with section 8(B) of Pakistan Army Act, 1952, the president on the advice of the prime minister is pleased to direct that the defence division notification No SRO 1489(1)2019, Rawalpindi dated 28th November 2019 shall be partially modified."
Earlier, the government has issued the notification for a three-year extension of the army chief, which was challenged in the Supreme Court by a lawyer Riaz Hanif Rahi.
The apex court initially suspended the said notification but then allowed Gen Bajwa to continue in office for six months and referred the matter to the parliament of extension for legal cover.
Subsequently, the Parliament last month approved three bills that set a higher retirement age for the chiefs of the Pakistan army, navy and air force, allowing the prime minister to extend their terms at his discretion. The president signed the bill into law. Gen Bajwa became army chief in 2016.
To seek confirmation regarding an under circulation notification on social media regarding COAS extension, this correspondent contacted military media wing (ISPR) who neither confirmed nor denied it.
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