Prime Minister Imran Khan, on Friday, spearheaded a meeting of the senior leaders of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) to deliberate over the verdict of the Supreme Court, which granted a conditional extension to Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for six months.
Reports suggest that the Premier maintained a “harsh” stance on the opposition’s conduct despite the pressing need to establish harmony in order to iron out the legislation on the issue of COAS’s extension and reappointment, as directed by the SC verdict announced by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa.
Read more: Gen Bajwa’s Tenure Extended for 6 Months: PM Khan Labels Proceedings as Clash of Institutions
Mafias Disappointed by SC Verdict
A participant of the meeting, speaking to local news outlets, revealed that the Prime Minister continued his criticism of the opposition leaders during the meeting. The Premier observed that all the mafias and malevolent actors who were anticipating a “clash of institutions” were greatly disappointed by the verdict of the Supreme Court.
During the meeting, PM Khan said that the government will act upon the verdict issued by the Supreme Court, and observed that the judiciary had never before raised such an issue with regards to the extension and appointment of the Army Chief. The Premier appreciated the efforts of the government’s legal team.
Today must be a great disappointment to those who expected the country to be destabilised by a clash of institutions. That this did not happen must be of special disappointment to our external enemies & mafias within –
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) November 28, 2019
Reportedly, the Prime Minister said, “Differences in opinion is the beauty of democracy, but the legal team of the government did an impressive job.”
Later, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, said that the government and opposition will join hands to pass a legislation on the appointment and tenure of the Chief of Army Staff with a consensus in the parliament.
The PTI government believes that the legislation should not only be passed from the National Assembly, where the PTI and its allies form a majority but also within the Senate
Dr. Firdous said, “We will formulate a smooth legislation through consensus. PM Imran Khan has established a parliamentary committee consisting of senior PTI leaders, which will deliberate upon the matter of passing the required legislation.”
The Special Assistant to the PM on Information observed that Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is the pride of the nation, and hence, no one, not even the opposition, would opposed any extension in his tenure.
Political & National Narratives
Responding to a question on why the Prime Minister was criticizing opposition leaders, even at a junction where the opposition’s cooperation is vital to pass the required legislation, Dr. Firdous said, “There is always a difference between political and national narratives.”
Read more: New Parliament will Decide Gen Bajwa’s Extension after Fresh Elections: Maulana Fazl
The Special Adviser to the PM said that Pakistan is currently in a “state of war” and given the situation, the PTI government believes that the legislation should not only be passed from the National Assembly, where the PTI and its allies form a majority but also within the Senate, where the opposition holds a majority.
Dr. Firdous said that the legislative amendment required by the Supreme Court is a legal issue and not related to one individual, therefore, it must be addressed with a patriotic fervor of nationalism.