'External Enemies & Mafias Within Would be Disappointed by SC Verdict on Army Chief': Pak PM Imran Khan

Islamabad: A much-relieved Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday lauded the Supreme Court for allowing General Qamar Javed Bajwa to continue as Pakistan Army chief for another six months even as he took a jibe at the country's "external enemies" and the "mafias within", saying the verdict must be of "special disappointment" to them.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa approved a conditional extension in Chief of the Army Staff General Bajwa's tenure for an additional six months. The top court's ruling comes in the nick of time as Gen Bajwa was set to retire at midnight Thursday. Prime Minister Khan had extended Bajwa's tenure through a notification on August 19, but the apex court suspended it on Tuesday, citing irregularities in the manner Gen Bajwa, a close confidant of Khan, was granted a 3-year extension.

"Today must be a great disappointment to those who expected the country to be destabilised by a clash of institutions," Khan said in a series of tweets soon after the Supreme Court announced its short verdict.

"That this did not happen must be of special disappointment to our external enemies & mafias within," Khan said.

He did not identify Pakistan's "external enemies" and the "mafias within." However, he said the mafias have stashed their loot abroad and they wanted to protect the ill-gotten wealth by destabilising the country.

He also praised Chief Justice Khosa, who had grilled senior officials during the hearing and asked the government to set the house in order. "Also, for the record, I have the greatest respect for CJ Khosa, one of the greatest Jurists produced by Pakistan," Khan said.

Khan, who heads the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, claimed that his party was the first one to advocate an independent judiciary and the rule of law, 23 years ago. "In 2007, PTI was in the forefront of the Movement for Independence of the Judiciary & I was jailed for it," the Pakistan prime minister said.

In its short order, the Supreme Court directed the Pakistan government to bring necessary legislation within six months' time. The order, read out by Chief Justice Khosa, asked Parliament to introduce legislation for appointment of the Army chief under Article 243.

He said the court is observing judicial restraint and leaving the matter to Parliament.