Imran Khan proposes to extend tenure of Pakistan Army chief till next polls

by IANS |

Islamabad, Sep 13 (IANS) Former Pakistan Prime Minister and PTI chief, Imran Khan has proposed to extend the tenure of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa till the next elections.

In an interview with a private TV channel, Khan said that the appointment of an army chief should be deferred until the government is elected, which should then choose the new military head, Geo News reported.

Khan has been making headlines since his ouster in April because of his constant remarks regarding the army chief.

Earlier this month, while speaking during a public rally in Faisalabad, the PTI chairman had called out the government, saying that it was delaying the elections to appoint an army chief of its own and that if a "patriotic chief of army staff comes in, he will not spare the incumbent rulers", Geo News reported.

However, in a change of stance, the former premier said that he was ready to hold talks with the coalition government regarding snap polls.

Regarding the Islamabad High Court's (IHC) decision to indict him in a contempt of court case on September 22, Khan said that if the five-member bench hearing the case would have allowed him to say something, he would have apologised.

The court had last month taken notice of the former prime minister's speech at a public rally, where he allegedly threatened Islamabad additional sessions judge Zeba Chaudhry for extending PTI leader Shahbaz Gill's remand.

The PTI chief said that he regrets if something was misinterpreted and was ready to take back what he said during his public gathering.

"I could have said what they wanted if they had allowed me to speak," he said.

Khan, while taking a jibe at the coalition government's performance, said that the country will be stuck in a quagmire if the incumbent leaders' tenure is prolonged further.

Latest News
Delhi court reserves order on Sisodia's regular bail pleas; he withdraws interim plea to campaign for LS polls Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 03:18 PM
Viksit Bharat Ambassador meet-up: India will be among world's top 3 economies by 2027-28, says Hardeep Singh Puri Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 03:16 PM
Man reported dead after self immolation near court during ex-US Prez Trump's trial Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 03:15 PM
Formula 1: Verstappen on pole for Chinese Grand Prix, Hamilton to start at 18th position Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 03:14 PM
Athletics: US quartet breaks distance medley relay world record in Eugene Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 03:13 PM
Golf: Field announced for 2024 China Open as DP World Tour returns to Shenzhen Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 02:03 PM
Musk delays India visit to address five key issues during Tesla results next week Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 02:02 PM
New shoe insole technology to reduce diabetic foot ulcer risk Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 01:58 PM
Revere farmers who grow our food: Zoho's Sridhar Vembu Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 01:56 PM
Zomato slapped with Rs 11.81 crore GST demand, penalty order Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 01:55 PM
INDIA bloc leaders came together to hide their corruption, says PM Modi in Maharashtra Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 01:21 PM
Indian student's death in US possibly linked to Blue Whale suicide game Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 01:19 PM
Man into 'conspiracy theories' attempts self-immolation as Trump trial was winding down 1st phase Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 01:13 PM
Gold trading volume spikes amid Middle East crisis Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 01:12 PM
One killed, seven injured as unknown drones attack paramilitary base in Iraq Sat, Apr 20, 2024, 01:11 PM