Amid a rising crescendo over the legislation that the government passed in haste earlier this month, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has clarified that the tenures of army, air force and naval chiefs have been increased and they have not been given extension.

“This is not an extension; it is an increase in the tenure of their employment,” he said while appearing on Spotlight with Munizae Jahangir through a video link. The news programme was aired on Aaj News on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, the coalition government bulldozed half a dozen pieces of legislation, through both houses of parliament, despite a protest by the opposition, led by PTI.

The government got all six bills — seeking to extend the tenure of the chiefs of the country’s three armed forces and increase the number of jud­ges in the superior courts — passed from the National Assembly within 24 minutes, and then from the Senate in just 16 minutes, without allowing any debate.

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub claimed that the PML-N would be the victim of its action after the legislation.

Sanaullah was of the view that there could be discussions for or against it, but “you cannot call it an extension. It is an increase in the employment tenure.”

To simplify the development in his logic, the premier’s adviser said: “Three plus three equals six, but five seems more appropriate; it’s a year less, not more.”

In January 2020, when former prime minister Imran Khan was in power, the Senate approved a law that allowed the government to extend the term of the country’s army chief. It set a higher retirement age for the chiefs of the Pakistani army, navy and air force, allowing the prime minister to extend their terms at his discretion.

The decision was taken after Khan had approved an extension in the tenure of the-then army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa for another three years.

“If three plus three equals six were to happen, it would have inevitably benefited a specific individual,” Sanaullah said and reiterated that it was better to have a five-year term instead of giving an extension after three years to the army chief.

“Extensions should only occur in emergencies,” he said, “This duration is sufficient, and after it, no one would want to seek further extensions, nor would there be a need for them.”

PTI protest

When asked, Sanaullah stated that peaceful protest is a right for everyone, but there is no permission for protests that involve “wrapping oneself in a shroud.” He was referring to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s statement to ensure former prime minister Imran Khan’s release “come what may.”

He said: “Any protest that incites chaos and disrupts law and order is not permissible.” The PML-N leader slammed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for planning protests with participants reportedly coming prepared for extreme actions, instructing their families to conduct funeral prayers as a sign of their intentions to confront danger.“

The premier’s aide added that if such a situation arises, law enforcement agencies would be justified in taking action, as no one is allowed to create chaos or disturb public order.

In response to a question on restrictions during his imprisonment, Sanaullah mentioned that while he was in jail, he was unable to meet anyone except his family members or lawyers.

He was of the view that planning a movement from jail was not permitted by law. The PML-N leader alleged that Khan’s statements suggest that he meets with individuals who are planning to initiate an “armed movement” against the government.

According to Sanaullah, such individuals “frequently” gather and then convey messages to the media. He pointed out that on the same day Gandapur met with them and made comments about “wrapping oneself in a shroud and preparing for death.”

He questioned the principles behind such actions, asking “where it is written that no action can be taken against a terrorist or instigator unless they physically raise arms.”

When asked, he criticised the PTI for allegedly dragging Supreme Court judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah into controversy, claiming that Khan’s party’s propaganda has tarnished his reputation. He added that “certain decisions” have exacerbated the situation.

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He noted that Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi distanced himself from the groupings that emerged within the SC, calling it a “significant achievement” on his part.

Moreover, Sanaullah stated that reports related to United States President-elect Donald Trump and PTI founder Khan seemed rumours. “Aside from the ongoing cases against Khan, there are no other cases, and following bail in all cases, he should be released.”

The PM’s adviser also rebuffed reports that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman was not offered any governorship position.