Former prime minister Imran Khan\u2019s proposal to extend the tenure of Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa was rejected by the government on Tuesday.
\nAs media per reports, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the discussion regarding the appointment of the army chief is ‘premature’.
\nThe Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief had proposed an extension in the tenure of the army chief while claiming that the government was looking to appoint someone new for the post.
\nKhan\u2019s proposal was rejected by Asif, who said on Twitter that Khan had \u201cstooped so low in his lust for power that he is now using the army chief\u2019s appointment to deviate from the elections and politics.\u201d
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\nThe Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader further said that the current government will reach a decision regarding the appointment when the time is right while keeping in mind the traditions set by the Constitution and the institution.
\n\u201cImportant national decisions are not subject to political interests,\u201d he said.
\nAsif, while speaking on a private TV channel, said the PTI chairman is deliberately trying to make the appointment of the army chief controversial with a well-thought-out plan as this is ‘premature’ to discuss at the present time as there are still two and a half months left in Bajwa’s tenure.
\n\u201cIt is not in the interest of the country to talk about this issue at this time, nor is it in the interest of the organization to drag its leader, responsible for defence into politics,\u201d he said.
\nHe added that on the one hand, Khan is targeting the establishment and on the other, he is looking to create opportunities for dialogue.
\n\u201cPolitical marginalization is evident,\u201d he said.
\nOn Monday, in a dramatic somersault, Khan said the process to appoint the next army chief should be deferred till after the next general elections.
\nThe suggestion effectively means granting another extension to the incumbent General Qamar Javed Bajwa, albeit for a short period.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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