No ambiguity over changes to Article 243, military laws, says Law Minister Azam Tarar

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Thursday said there was no ambiguity regarding the changes to Article 243 of the Constitution and to the laws governing the three branches of the military, amid rumours about the lack of notification for the chief of defence forces.

The CDF position, created under the 27th Constitutional Ame­nd­ment, replaced the now-abolished office of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), which formally ended on November 27. It will be a dual-hatted position combined with the office of the army chief.

As the crucial Nov 29 deadline expired, questions grew over the government’s failure to notify the appointment of the country’s first CDF with the government urging people to refrain from speculation over the matter.

However, in a press conference today with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, the law minister said: “There is no ambiguity in Article 243 or in the consequential amendments” in the acts governing the three branches of the military.

More to follow.