Pakistan top court rejects Imran Khan's decision to extend Army Chief's tenure

Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the rules related to the extension of an army chief's tenure as it heard a crucial case whose outcome may block the current head of the Army General Qamar Javed Bajwa from serving another three-year term.

Prime Minister Imran Khan through an official notification on August 19 had granted a three-year extension to General Bajwa, citing "regional security environment".

Bajwa's original tenure is set to expire on November 29, this year.

Chief Justice of Pakistan, Asif Saeed Khosa in an unprecedented move on Tuesday suspended the government's order citing legal lacunas. The petition against Bajwa's extension was filed by a person named Raiz Rahi.

After the top court's order on Tuesday, the Cabinet amended Section 255 of the Army Rules and Regulations and included the words extension in tenure to meet the legal lacuna in the rule.

According to reports,

the Cabinet in its two sittings, prepared a new summary for the extension and sent it to President Arif Alvi for approval.