What are the options in case President delays COAS slection?
In the event that President Arif Alvi delays the selection of the new army chief, the federal government has a number of options, sources told media on Wednesday. General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the current Chief of Army Staff (COAS), will step down on July 29.
The president is allowed by the Constitution to delay the nomination of the new army chief by 25 days.
The government had several plans in place in case the president delayed the summary, according to the sources.
Since the president’s approval is not necessary for this appointment, it is authorised to name the vice chief of army staff (VCOAS). The government may also extend the service of an officer whose retirement is imminent by promoting a lieutenant general to the rank of full general.
An official in the administration expressed surprise that a “essential” debate was taking place regarding the potential to postpone the army chief’s appointment summary. He continued, “I don’t think this is at all a problem.”
According to various sources, PTI leader said that he did not believe President Alvi would postpone the summary. He did, however, note that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had not come back to begin talks with the PTI after approaching the president to do so.
He claimed that given the current political climate, the PML-N-led government was not currently holding discussions with the PTI.
What are the options in case President delays COAS slection?
Additionally, it has been heard that a petition opposing the appointment of a senior military officer may be submitted to the supreme court.
Because the said officer was supposed to retire on October 25, the petitioner may ask the Supreme Court to issue a writ of quo warranto to determine under what legal authority he is still serving as a military officer.
