ISLAMABAD – Following controversy cropping up over the drafting of services chiefs bills passed by parliament on Wednesday, with regards to the bills bestowing discretionary powers upon the president and failing to address the circumstances for any extension in tenure, the unpatriotic critics of the amendments were duly silenced on Friday.

While clause 8A of the bill to amend the Pakistan Army Act 1952 underlines appointment of the Army chief, and 8B highlights reappointment and extension in tenure, those unnecessarily reading too much into the legislation passed this week were informed of the conditions that would necessitate the extension of the tenure of the Chief of Army Staff.

It was noted on Friday that given that the reason for extending the Army Chief’s tenure is to ensure continuity amidst security challenges in the region, and given that those security challenges exist simply because India and Afghanistan are the country’s neighbours, it can be determined that extension into the tenure of the COAS would be there as long as Pakistan shares border with those countries.

“Today, all political parties of Pakistan have decided that the Army Chief of the country will have his tenure extended till Pakistan shares border with Afghanistan and India. This move alone is enough to defeat enemies of Pakistan and strengthen true democracy in the country,” said Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcast Firdous Ashiq Awan.