Pakistan extends mandate of powerful military leaders despite strong opposition from Imran Khan's party

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Pakistan's parliament has approved a bill that will extend the term of office of the country's military leaders from three to five years, in a process rushed by the ruling coalition government amid strong protests from the opposition.

Monday's move means army chief Gen. Asif Munir, in office for two years, will continue to lead the country's powerful military at least until 2027.

Parliamentary proceedings, broadcast live, became disruptive when angry protesters from former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party showed strong opposition, tearing up copies of the bills.

Lawmakers from the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by jailed leader Mr Khan, argued that the bill was rushed through without meaningful debate and that the amendments amounted to an attack against the country's democracy.

Key constitutional amendments proposed by the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who leads a coalition of parties opposed to Mr Khan who took power after February elections, are widely seen as aimed at shoring up support for powerful military figures.

The Amendment to the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 was proposed by Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and passed by both Houses of Parliament.

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Lieutenant General Asim Munir, who has been appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan, meets with Pakistani President Arif Alvi, at the President House in Islamabad, Pakistan on November 24, 2022 (via REUTERS)

The law will extend the tenure of three service chiefs, the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Naval Staff, from three to five years.

The retirement age limit of 64 for generals, air marshals and admirals will not apply to these three officials, with extensions or reappointments for these roles set at five years.

However, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's term remains unchanged at three years, the Dawn newspaper reported.

The amendments were opposed by PTI party members who tore up copies of the bill and threw them at the Speaker while others chanted slogans.

PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan said: Today, democracy has transformed into monarchy.

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Pakistani army and security officials stand guard as members of the opposition Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaft (PTI) protest for the release of Imran Khan (EPA)

PTI Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan said: The extension of the tenure of the heads of the armed forces will have a negative impact on the professional competence of the rest of the officers of the armed forces and the standard of armed forces. strengths. This is not about an individual, but about the future of our beloved country.

Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, also said Pakistan's most powerful post is about to get even more powerful.

Pakistan's parliament passed a bill extending the term of army chiefs from 3 to 5 years without much debate, he said. When a legislature is reduced to a rubber stamp, democracy never wins.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, however, defended the decision, saying it was aimed at the stability of the armed forces.

“There is no harm if the tenure of a service chief is extended to five years, like we have a five-year tenure of a government,” Mr Tarar told Geo New TV. “This will help bring stability and policy continuity within institutions.”

Mr Khan, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence in 2022 and serving a prison sentence since August, accused the army of engineering his ouster after falling out with the army chief of the time, Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The military has always wielded enormous influence in Pakistan, which it has ruled for half of its 75-year history, and is believed to exert influence over politicians in power. Army generals staged three coups against elected governments in Pakistan's history, ruling the country for three decades.

Several politicians, including Mr. Khan, have publicly claimed that military generals lobby and influence policymaking and play a major role in Pakistani politics.

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