Khawaja Asif alleges ex-army chief threatened martial law to secure term extension

Defence minister claims Bajwa played pivotal role in bringing Imran Khan to power, had significant influence over him

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged that former Chief of Army Staff General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa threatened to impose martial law as he sought a second extension to his term in November 2022. 

Asif’s remarks came in response to Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan’s recent denial that Bajwa ever sought such an extension.

Khan, a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and a close friend of Bajwa, had stated that Bajwa, during a meeting at the US embassy, denied any desire for an extension. He suggested that Asif might have misunderstood or forgotten details about the situation.

In a local television interview, Asif insisted that he remembers events clearly and stood by his claim. He described Bajwa’s threat of martial law as a serious matter, stating, “General Bajwa made it clear he would impose martial law if necessary.”

Asif suggested that the discrepancy between his account and Khan’s was due to them referring to different contexts. He noted that Bajwa had sought an extension of six months to a year to address a deadlock, a claim that has been a point of contention.

During the same programme, Khan reaffirmed that Bajwa, during his US visit, explicitly stated he would not seek an extension. He quoted Bajwa as saying, "I am an old soldier and an old soldier fades away," and emphasised that Bajwa had consistently maintained he was not pursuing an extension.

Khan also mentioned that Bajwa supported the appointment of General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and General Asim Munir to key military positions.

In a separate interview on a local television network, Asif reiterated his assertion that Bajwa had played a pivotal role in bringing Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, to power and had significant influence over him. 

He further alleged that Bajwa had close ties with General (retd) Faiz Hameed, who was rumoured to be a successor Bajwa favoured.