Prime Minister Imran Khan has formed an eight-member cabinet committee to look into the legislation aspect of extending the army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure.
On November 28, the Supreme Court extended COAS’s tenure by six month with provision that the government submit an undertaking that Parliament would enact law on this six months. Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure will end in May 2020 now.
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The short order reads,
“The current appointment of General Qamar Javed Bajwa as COAS shall be subject to the said legislation and shall continue for a period of six months from today, whereafter the new legislation shall determine his tenure and other terms and conditions of service.”
It directed the government to,
“Clearly specify the terms and conditions of service of the COAS through an Act of Parliament and to clarify the scope of Article 243 of the Constitution in this regard”.
The eight-member committee that Imran Khan has formed will be looking to fulfill the Supreme Court’s condition. Foragh Naseem, the Law Minister will head the committee.
It will comprise Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan, the law secretary, Special Assistant on Accountability Shahzad Akbar and the joint secretary of PM Office.
The committee will discuss whether to bring a new law regarding the army chief of they should amend the Army Act, 1952, which is the existing law. The committee will present it proposals to the cabinet.
