ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning Asad Umar on Wednesday said the prime minister held the discretionary powers under Article 243 and can grant extension to the army chief.

“General Qamar Javed Bajwa is the most capable person for national security, peace and civilian supremacy,” he said talking to a local news channel

The minister said keeping in view the extraordinary situation in Kashmir and the region, there was dire need to take decision regarding extension for General Bajwa on the post of the chief of army staff.

Also Read: I was reminded that I have signed army chief’s extension letter: President

New summary for extension in army chief’s tenure approved

The Federal Cabinet has approved new summary for the extension in the Army Chief’s tenure and sent it to the president for approval.

Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood on Wednesday said the Cabinet reviewed the situation after the verdict of the Supreme Court regarding extension in the service of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

Briefing the press on the Federal Cabinet meeting in Islamabad, he said the Cabinet approved amendment in the Rule 255 of Army regulation to assist the court.

He said the Federal Cabinet and its allied parties have expressed complete support for extension in service of Army Chief.

The minister for education said under article 243, it was Prime Minister’s prerogative to appoint services chiefs.

Shafqat Mahmood said the premier had the prerogative to send advice to the president on the extension in service of the chief of army staff and the PM gave advice to the president under the same prerogative and the president gave the approval of extension.

Shafqat Mahmood said it was also the prerogative of the PM to decide if there was need for extension due to special circumstances.

He said the prime minister sent advice to the president because of special prevailing circumstances as India for the first time had crossed the LoC after Kargil and attacked Balakot area of Pakistan after 1971.

“The serious tension and shelling on LoC, the curfew exceeding one hundred days in Occupied Kashmir is also unusual development. There is also a risk of false flag operation by India,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said extension in service of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was need of the hour.

He said the Federal Law Minister Barrister Farogh Naseem had voluntarily tendered resignation from his position.

Sheikh Rashid said Farogh Naseem would present the government’s stance in the court along with Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan on the issue.