Imran Khan's govt approves amendment to Pakistan Army Act in an emergency meeting

Pakistan government in an emergency meeting on Wednesday approved amendments to Army Act, nearly four weeks after it assured Supreme Court of passing legislation on extension and reappointment of an Army chief within six months. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had extended Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa's tenure through a tification on August 19. However, on vember 26, Supreme Court suspended government order, citing irregularities in manner army chief, a close confidant of prime minister, was granted an extension.

On vember 28, Bajwa got a six-month conditional extension from apex court, ending an unprecedented legal wrangle that shook Imran Khan government and pitted powerful military against judiciary. Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who headed a three-member bench, anunced verdict after getting an assurance from government that Parliament will pass legislation on extension/reappointment of an Army chief within six months.

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In Wednesday's meeting, which was presided over by Pakistani Prime Minister, amendments made to clauses related to Army chief's tenure and extension were passed unanimously, Dawn News reported. amended bill will w be presented before Parliament in order to come into effect. Though details regarding amendments are t yet clear, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak said it includes a proposal to extend tenure of all three services chief.

Imran Khan on Pakistan SC's decision

Even as Pakistan Supreme Court reduced Imran Khan's initial decision on tenure extension, Prime Minister of Pakistan lauded top court for allowing Bajwa to continue as Pakistan Army chief for half a year. While doing so, he even took a jibe at country's "external enemies" and "mafias within", saying verdict must be of "special disappointment" to m.

"Today must be a great disappointment to those who expected country to be destabilised by a clash of institutions," Imran Khan said in a series of tweets soon after Supreme Court anunced its short verdict. "That this did t happen must be of special disappointment to our external enemies and mafias within,"  Pakistani PM said. He did t identify Pakistan's "external enemies" and "mafias within." However, he said mafias have stashed ir loot abroad and y wanted to protect ill-gotten wealth by destabilising country.

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(With PTI inputs)