Pakistani PM keeps powerful army chief in place 3 more years

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s prime minister is keeping his powerful army chief in place for another three years, amid heightened tensions with India over Kashmir as well as the end of U.S.-Talban peace talks for neighbouring Afghanistan.

Imran Khan postponed on Monday the retirement of Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, who played a key role in facilitating the recently concluded negotiations between the Taliban and the U.S.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have also ratcheted up since Aug. 5, when New Delhi changed the status of Indian-administered Kashmir, which is split between the nuclear-armed rivals and claimed by both.

Khan’s move comes as his political opposition is planning protest rallies over his alleged failures in handling the country’s ailing economy.

Bajwa was to complete his three-year term in November.