Neither CJP, COAS want extensions, nor is govt. mulling over them

ISLAMABAD: Categorically refuting speculation and reports about a possible extension in the service period of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Information Minister and government spokesman Pervaiz Rashid on Saturday said those involved in such rumour-mongering were not only trying to malign the honourable CJP and the COAS, but also hurting the national interest.

Talking to Ansar Abbasi of The News here, Pervaiz said both the CJP and the army chief were highly respected for their roles and contribution to the motherland but some elements were trying to drag them into unnecessary controversies.

“Neither of the two has hinted, directly or indirectly, or shown any keenness to get extensions, nor is the government considering any such proposal. But these revered personalities are still being dragged into this controversy,” he said.

Pervaiz Rashid said the army chief was not interested in getting any extension. “Even in the past, it was the PPP government that compelled him to get the extension,” the minister said, adding that the incumbent army chief had never hinted, directly or indirectly, to seek an extension.

The minister said a person recently approached him saying that there were reports that the CJP would be given an extension by the government for the period he was put under illegal suspension.

“I asked that person to kindly spare the country’s heroes from such controversies,” he said, adding that neither has the CJP approached the government for this, nor has the government any such option in mind.

Even otherwise, those talking about the CJP’s extension do not know that the retirement age for judges of high courts and the Supreme Court is set in the Constitution and no executive authority or court could extend it. “The retirement age of judges can be reduced or increased only through a constitutional amendment, he added.

During the Dogar court’s era a decision was taken to extend the post-superannuation service of a few police officers for the period they were made OSD while in service. But it was the Supreme Court under the incumbent CJP that reviewed the same judgment and overturned it.

As the two respected chiefs are nearing their retirement date, speculation is going on about their continuation in their respective offices one way or the other. This speculation started even before the elections. A few months ago, the army chief while talking to this correspondent, had lamented how he was maligned by some media commentators on a matter that did not exist, was never discussed and was not even in his mind.

Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is widely acclaimed and is even appreciated the world over for his role in upholding the Constitution and the rule of law in Pakistan. Dragging such a person into anything that is not in line with the Constitution is nothing but a sinister campaign against Pakistan’s national interest and its heroes, as has the information minister feels.

Pervez Rashid said some people here were hell-bent on vilifying everything and everybody connected with Pakistan to besmear the name of our homeland internationally.