Pakistan’s top court grants extension to army chief’s tenure

Pakistan‘s top court has granted a six-month extension to the term of the country’s army head General Qamar Javed Bajwa, after initially blocking a three-year extension of his tenure.

“We leave this matter to parliament to make law regarding this,” Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said while delivering the verdict on Thursday. Bajwa’s term had been due to expire at midnight.

The cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan approved the three-year extension for Bajwa in August, citing a worsening national security situation in the region over its rivalry with neighbouring India.

But in a surprise ruling on Tuesday, the Supreme Court suspended the extension, citing a series of irregularities and ordering the government and the army to produce legal provisions and detailed arguments on the reasoning behind the move.

Khan’s government could now amend Pakistan’s laws, allowing Bajwa another term.

Irrespective of the decision, however, the episode could weaken the authority of the government, led by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The civilian government has enjoyed good relations with the armed forces, in contrast to the previous government of Khan’s main rival Nawaz Sharif.

It has also led to questions about the future of Bajwa, who has led the military through a period of escalating tensions with India and western neighbour Afghanistan.

The abrupt decision of the court to suspend Bajwa’s extension, and the government’s reaction, has been branded “a comedy of errors” by Pakistan’s media, which is rarely critical of the military.

“This is without a doubt the most shambolic episode in the PTI government’s tenure so far,” said an editorial in Dawn, the country’s leading English-language newspaper on Thursday.

“Surely there are other officers more than capable of leading the army. General Bajwa’s next step will determine whether he is thinking of himself or his institution.”

During Bajwa’s tenure, the military has been accused by opposition politicians of electoral manipulation, meddling in politics, suspension of civil liberties and muzzling the media to help Khan win power last year. The military has always denied interfering in politics.

The army chief usually serves a three-year term. Since the role was established in 1972, only one general has had his term extended by a civilian government.

Pakistan’s powerful military has ruled the country for more than half of its 72-year history and sets defence and security policy.