Pak SC begins hearing in Bajwa's tenure extension case

Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Wednesday began hearing in a case pertaining to the extension/reappointment of tenure of Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who is due to retire on November 29.

At the outset of the hearing, the top court's bench, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Mian Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, clarified that the court had not taken suo motu notice, Dawn reported.

"We are continuing your petition," the Justice Khosa told the petitioner.

Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan along with Pakistan's former Law Minister Farogh Naseem, who quit his post on Tuesday, is representing the government in the top tourt.

During the hearing, Justice Shah asked if an Army chief can continue to work if his tenure is extended two days before his retirement.

"Where does it say that it is a three-year term?" he asked.

The Attorney General admitted that the period of the tenure is not specified in the rules.

"The term tenure is used but the duration has not been specified anywhere," AG said.

In a major development on Tuesday, Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa suspended till Wednesday the notification extending the tenure of the Army chief for another three years.

The Supreme Court issued notices to Pakistan Defence Ministry, the federal government and the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).

Following the top court's order, the federal cabinet in its two sittings, Prime Minister Imran Khan and then President Arif Alvi approved within hours a fresh notification for the extension of Gen Bajwa.

The tenure of Gen Bajwa, who is reaching the age of superannuation (60 years) next year, is ending later this week.