ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and counsel of the army chief Barrister Farogh Naseem had an interesting conversation regarding General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s extension case on Wednesday.

Asif Khosa asked Farogh Naseem if Bajwa was going to retire on Thursday (tomorrow). While, he said, that as per the attorney general a general never retired. He also asked if a former chief of army staff could also be appointed on the post of the army chief again.

One of the three members of the bench hearing the case, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah pointed out that according to the AG’s definition of the Article 243 of the Constitution, even the attorney general could appoint an army chief. He asked how the federal government could grant extension to an army chief, if it did not appoint him.

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Mansoor Shah further asked if the army chief’s tenure had been completed, would he be considered retired or not. Upon which, AG Anwer Mansoor Khan said that no age limit was set for retirement of a COAS.

Justice Mansoor Shah said that it meant that any retired army officer could be appointed a COAS. Then, he inquired, if it was mentioned somewhere that the army chief has to be from the military.

Anwer Mansoor Khan said Qamar Javed Bajwa was going to retire on Thursday night. To which, the chief justice said that the case must be decided on urgent basis.