New Delhi, Nov 23 (IANS): In a major controversy at the top echelons of Pakistan power structure, a petition has been filed against Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Ahmed Bajwa for serving at the top post despite being a Ahmadi Muslim.

A plea filed by former Major Khalid Shah in Peshawar High Court has levelled allegation that Bajwa belonged to the Qadiani community. The Qadiani community is also known as Ahmadi Muslim in Pakistan and has been declared as non-Muslims by the heads of all sects.

It is not clear as to why the controversy is coming up at this stage when the Pakistan Army chief has already been in the Army for many years and has completed one term as the army chief.

It is significant to note that according to Pakistan's Constitution, a non-Muslim officer cannot be appointed as the Army chief and this is where the nature of the allegation assumes significance.

The petition also named former ISI DG Rizwan Akhtar for failing to fulfil his duty as a Muslim by not informing the government that Bajwa did not belong to the religion.

It may be recalled that in August, the Imran Khan led government in Pakistan had extended the term of Bajwa for another three years.

Pakistan politics is going through a volatile phase as there have been murmurs of a coup by the army.