Govt likely to table Army Act amendment bill in National Assembly tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi has summoned a session of the National Assembly on December 4 (Wednesday) during which the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is likely to table a bill to amend the Army Act.

Earlier, the president had used his powers under Article 54 to revoke November 22 orders of summoning of a session of the National Assembly on December 2.

In the light of directives by the Supreme Court, the government is likely to introduce a bill for amendment to the Army Act to give legal cover to the extension of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and three services chiefs.

Last week the apex court had allowed the federal government to grant a six-month extension to COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

In its short order, the apex court directed the government to bring necessary legislation within six months' time.

The Supreme Court ordered the parliament to introduce legislation for appointment of army chief under Article 243.

The short SC order in the extension case stated: "Article 243 of the Constitution clearly mandates that the Federal Government shall have control and command of the Armed Forces and the supreme command of the Armed Forces shall vest in the President."

Originally published in The News