Islamabad - General Bajwa's extension by PM Imran Khan has stirred up controversy in the country.
A three-member bench, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Mian Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, announced the much-anticipated verdict after being assured by the government that parliament will pass legislation within six months, The Dawn reported.
The verdict was announced around 3.45 pm, prior to which the court had asked the government to submit an undertaking that the parliament will pass legislation in this regard within six months and an amended notification.
The top court's ruling comes in the nick of time as Gen Bajwa was set to retire at midnight. Prime Minister Imran Khan had extended Bajwa's tenure through a notification in August, but the top court suspended it on November 26 due to irregularities in the manner of extension.
- An amended notification
- The mention of the Supreme Court
- Duration of the army chief's tenure
- The description of army chief's salary and incentives
The episode is especially damaging to Khan's administration, which is seen as close to Bajwa.
"This is a landmark case: unprecedented questions are being raised, threatening to upend the accepted status quo, and holding a mirror to society's psyche," Pakistan's leading English daily Dawn wrote in an editorial.
Bajwa was appointed to lead the military in 2016, taking over from the massively popular General Raheel Sharif, who won the hearts of millions with his blistering fight against militants.
Bajwa is the latest in a long line of Pakistani military generals who have seen their mandates extended.