Summary The appointment of Army Chief lies in the hands of Prime Minister: Fawad Chaudhry
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday while commenting on the matter of Army Chief’s extension said the case would have impacts on the entire force. He said extension in tenure of General Bajwa was made with complete political consensus.
Talking exclusively to Dunya News, he said the balance of the system would be disrupted if courts would see the matters pertaining to national security.
The PTI minister said it is clear according to Article 243 that appointment of Army Chief is in the hands of Prime Minister. He said decisions pertaining to national security are made by executive in U.S. and Russia too.
Chaudhry said PM made a decision and cabinet gave its approval so all institutes must respect each other’s mandate.
Responding to a question, he said these are not court that resolve political matters, adding that opposition’s stance on the matter is also same. He said political consensus exists in extension of COAS as the extension to General Kiani was made through same law.
Earlier, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing of a case pertaining to the extension/reappointment in incumbent Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa s tenure until tomorrow.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, and comprises of Justice Mazhar Alam and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah heard the case.
READ MORE: SC adjourns hearing of General Bajwa s tenure extension case till tomorrow
As the hearing resumed, CJP Khosa remarked that media had misunderstood yesterday s proceedings and clarified that the court had not taken suo motu notice. "We are continuing your petition," the top judge told the petitioner who was in court today.
Former law minister Farogh Naseem, who stepped down from his post yesterday, appeared before the court on behalf of General Bajwa.
“Where were you yesterday […] we have maintained your plea?” CJP Khosa asked petitioner Riaz Rahi to which he replied that he could not appear as circumstances were different. On this, the top judge remarked that “we will have to move ahead in prevailing circumstances […] please take a seat.”
CJP Khosa said that the media had misunderstood yesterday’s proceedings and clarified that the court had not taken suo motu notice. "We are continuing your petition,"
Attorney General (AG) Anwar Mansoor took to the rostrum and said: "I referred to army rules yesterday. The court wrote ‘law’ in its order," the AG said, to which the chief justice said: "The court had given its order after looking at your documents."
