For the first time in Pakistan’s history, the case of extension in the service of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has been taken up by the Supreme Court (SC). The case, challenging the government’s decision to give extension to the COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa, was filed by Riaz Hanif Rahi, who later on, in writing, requested the court for withdrawal of his petition. The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khan Khosa decided to take up the case under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution, stating that the case held ‘public importance’.

The Supreme Court’s unprecedented involvement created an extraordinary situation in the country that not only sent shockwaves across the federal government but also brought into debate procedures that had so far ensured the extension or reappointment of an army chief.

During the three days of the hearing, the future of General Bajwa’s extension remained uncertain till the final verdict which came a few hours before General Bajwa’s scheduled retirement.

Defence analyst Lt General Amjad Shoaib (retired) says the uncertainty about the future of the army chief during those three days was at its peak – that situation certainly made the whole institution uneasy.

“Now, the six-month cap granted for legislation has also complicated the situation for the institution as the COAS, considering his term’s duration, introduces policies that have a long-term impact. Certainly, the Supreme Court’s verdict has consequences and a trickle-down effect on the institution,” he tells The News on Sunday.

Morale is usually assessed at a collective level rather than at an individual level. Within the armed forces, morale is often viewed in terms of combat motivation which is restricted to combat effectiveness and good performance in the field.

According to some former army officers the Supreme Court’s extraordinary involvement in this case has demoralized many in the armed forces that are fighting at multiple fronts – terrorism, the continuous unrest at the Indian and Afghan borders, the unusual situation in former FATA agencies and the complex situation in Balochistan.

Defence analyst and former head of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in Punjab Brigadier Ghazanfar Ali (retired) says that currently sixty percent of our soldiers are deployed in the field, willingly sacrificing their lives to protect the homeland. “They need an atmosphere that boosts their morale. Unfortunately, the recent hearing in the Supreme Court can demoralise them.”

“The timing of this case is absolutely inappropriate. The way the case has been taken up under Article 184 (3) has not only depressed the armed forces to some extent but also raised some serious questions”, he says. “The Supreme Court’s forceful involvement is an extraordinary development that has raised concerns as to whether the intervention is an independent decision. I believe that there is a lobby which intends to create tensions between state institutions.”

Some former army officers believe that apart from the timing of the case, the government’s incompetence may have made the issue controversial.

Brigadier Farooq Hameed (retired) says that first, the Supreme Court took every Pakistani by surprise when the notification of the extension of the COAS was suspended and then the incompetence of the government made the situation embarrassing for everyone.

“During those three days, fingers were pointed towards the institution. This has brought nothing but embarrassment not only to our forces but also the whole nation. Lack of homework by the government created a demoralising situation for the institution and brought embarrassment to the COAS”, he adds.

The writer is a staff member and can be reached at warraichshehryar@gmail.com