Govt not considering ‘major changes’ to Army Act: Khawaja Asif
Ishaq Dar-led delegation calls on Fazlur Rehman,conveys Nawaz message to Asif Ali Zardari
Islamabad_The federal government has started considering an option to seek the endorsement of the cabinet of the rainbow coalition government on the final pick for the next chief of army staff,This was suggested to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday by certain coalition members.
In this regard, key coalition partners including the Party Peoples Party (PPP), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F), and other allied parties have extended their unconditional support to PM Shehbaz over the new procedure to appoint the army chief.Moreover, the PM has also been informed about the positive aspects of this strategy, such as granting ownership of the decision to all coalition members.ccording to the prime minister’s advisors, after seeking a official nod from the cabinet members, any decision with regards to the appointment of the COAS is less likely to be challenged on any legal platform.
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Wednesday that the government was not considering making “major changes” to the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) 1952.
“Media hype over amendments to the Pakistan Army Act is uncalled for,” the defence minister stressed after a local daily reported that major changes would be made to the law.
“Government is not considering any major changes in the said Act. SCP had demanded review of relevant clauses of PAA in its judgment in CP 39/2019, which shall be complied with in due course.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar called upon former president Asif Zardari at the Zardari House,Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also present in the meeting that took up the ongoing political situation and national issues.Ishaq Dar conveyed Nawaz Sharif’s message to Asif ZardariAlso, the finance minister met PDM President Maulana Fazlur Rehman and conveyed the message of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to the latter.
Ishaq Dar met the Maulana along with a delegation of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz PML-N and discussed the country’s current economic and political situation and also exchanged thoughts about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s march.
The meeting was held at the residence of Fazl. Ayaz Sadiq and Khawaja Saad Rafique were a part of the delegation.
