Punjab

Extension sought in COAS’s term

“The campaign led by the COAS has eliminated 90 per cent of the terrorists from the country,” the petitioner says

Our Correspondent July 28, 2016

The petitioner said the operation against the terrorists was not over. “We must allow the current military leadership to continue its work,” he said. PHOTO: AFP

LAHORE: A petition has been moved in Lahore High Court seeking extension in the tenure of the chief of army staff and the corps commanders to “weed out terrorism and for welfare of the state.”

Advocate Rana Illmuddin Ghazi filed the petition on Thursday. The petitioner has named the federation of Pakistan through Establishment Division secretary, the Ministry of Interior, the Foreign Ministry, Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and PM’s Special Advisor on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi as respondents in his petition. The petitioner said he was a patriotic citizen of the country.

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“Disunity among politicians led to break up of Pakistan in 1971. Their differences led to imposition of martial law. Later, the armed forces were blamed for taking over.”

The petitioner said terrorism had grown due to ‘bad’ policies of successive governments. “Everyone has been affected by terrorism. Children have been attacked, places of worship have been bombed, schools have been destroyed and police failed to control it such activities.”

The petitioner said Pakistan Army had been asked to deal with this situation and Operation Zarb-i-Azb was launched. “The campaign led by the COAS has eliminated 90 per cent of the terrorists from the country,” the petitioner said. He said the government of Pakistan should be grateful to the army chief for helping it establish its writ.

I don't believe in extension and will retire on due date: army chief

The petitioner said the operation against the terrorists was not over. “We must allow the current military leadership to continue its work,” he said. He said citizens were fed up with the politicians and loved General Raheel Sharif. The petitioner asked for a four-year extension in the army chief’s term. He said there was no need for a constitutional amendment in this regard as the Army Act provided provisions in this regard.

Several lawyers The Express Tribune talked to said the petition would likely not be taken up in court and would be returned by the registrar. Advocate Makhdoom Tipu Salman called it a ploy to gain media attention.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2016.

COMMENTS (8)

Gul | 8 years ago | Reply The petitioner gives an impression that the army had only one capable general and that's it. Actually, it's not the case. The next general would prove that he is equally capable.

Manzoor Ahmad | 8 years ago | Reply The petitioner seems to be a lower level pleader. He does not understand that even his petition is approved, can the CJ or any power in Pakistan force Rahel to agree on extension in service if he does not want to. Pak Army is a solid cohesive body. If Rahel goes, the new chief will take over and naturally consult his core Commanders. If he also finds Pakistani politics incorrigible, incompetent and risky for the security of Pakistan, rest assured he will also take appropriate steps. Nothing would stop him. Even if Shebaz Sharif is made Army Chief, he would do the same as would be deemed suitable by the entire establishment. Rahel Sharif or no Rahel Sharif, Zarb-wAzab will go on.

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Aleem | 8 years ago | Reply No need for an extension. Gen Raheel has served well, let his successors continue in his path. The General has earned his retirement with honor! God bless General sahib!

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply Politicizing a settled issue makes little sense.

John | 8 years ago | Reply No professional soldier will ever take an extension.Unless they tell us that Raheel Sharif is the only capable Chief Material in whole of our Army. Go home when your time is over General,Wishes for your retired life ahead.You did well!

Fayyaz Baqir | 8 years ago | Reply The most dangerous point in the evolution of any political tendency comes when the followers of that tendency start believing in their own propaganda. The petition is flawed on many counys. One, the Army is as much part of the mess we have landed in as are civilians. Pakistan's problems cannot be solved by blaming one individual, one group or one party or people of one faith as scapegoat for our national ills. Two, seeking help of the court to violate constitutionally agreed provisions for appointment or extension of army chief is tantamount to knocking at the door of justice to seek injustice. Three , this petition is flawed because it lays emphasis on the individual office of COAS rather than the army as an institution for dealing with the scourge of terrorism. Four, in the name of giving credit to COAS it is a blatant effort to draw army and political institutions into a conflict and destabilize the polity. Fifth, this petition brings down the level of debate on national issues to a match between finger pointing and sycophancy. If the petitioner is serious about dealing with terrorism, he should point out where our political dispensation has failed in dealing with terrorism at policy or executive level rather than meddling with executive decision and violation of the due process.

BIMAL CHANDRA JHA | 8 years ago | Reply Young officers in Pakistani army must get a chance for promotion. This is possible only when seniors retire in time. No body is essential for a nation. However, this is for the Pakistani govt. to decide. My opinion is only legal and ethical aspect of the matter and nothing else. - BIMAL CHANDRA JHA, samanpura Road, Patna, India

Ch. Allah Daad | 8 years ago | Reply Let future General do the rest. There is no dearth of brave officers in our armed forces. Extentions and midnight coups have already destroyed careers of many deserving officers. General Raheel is welcome to serve in civilian capacity.

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