SC suspends army chief's extension notification, issues notice to all parties

• PM had approved three-year extension in the tenure of General Bajwa in August.
• The army chief was set to retire this year in November.

The Supreme Court (SC) suspended on Tuesday notification of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa's tenure extension.

During the hearing taken up by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khosa, the three-member bench suspended the notification and has issued notices to all parties, including the COAS. The CJP said only the president of Pakistan can extend the tenure of the army chief. The attorney general (AG) told the SC that the army chief's tenure was extended after the president's approval.

The CJP said out of 25 cabinet members, only 11 had approved the extension."Fourteen members of the cabinet did not give any opinion due to their absence," the chief justice said.

A petition was filed against the extension in the army chief's tenure by Jurist Foundation appealing the court to declare the extension null and void. However, the CJP rejected the application and took suo motu notice, local media reported.

The bench has adjourned the hearing till tomorrow (Wednesday).

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had approved three-year extension in the tenure of General Bajwa in August. The army chief was set to retire on November 29.

“General Qamar Javed Bajwa is appointed Chief of Army Staff for another term of three years from the date of completion of current tenure," a notification issued from the PM's Office had said.