Summary for appointment of Army Chief sent to PM House, claim sources
Pakistan
Summary for appointment of Army Chief sent to PM House, claim sources
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – In a major development, sources claimed that the summary for the appointment of the next Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) has been sent to the Prime Minister House.
Sources privay to the development said that the six lieutenant generals including Lt. Gen. Asim Munir, Lt. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Lt. Gen. Azhar Abbas, Lt. Gen. Nauman Mehmood, Lt. Gen. Faez Hameed, Lt. Gen. Mohammad Amir have been named in the list.
It is pertinent to mention here that Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff are retiring from the post on November 29.
PM’s letter communicated to GHQ
On Monday, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif informed the National Assembly that the Prime Minister’s letter for the appointment of new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has been communicated to the General Headquarters (GHQ) by the defense ministry.
The process of appointment of new COAS will be completed in a couple of days, said the defense minister adding that after the new appointment the chaos will be subsided.
He requested the media to maintain the sanctity of the constitutional procedure of the appointment of the new army chief adding that the government will deal with PTI chief Imran Khan at the completion of the process.
Khawaja Asif said Imran Khan’s political tactics to come back in power are damaging the unity of the country and the nation along with the respect and sanctity of the institutions that supported him for four years unconditionally.
The institution after 75 years announced the univocal neutrality and returning to its constitutional role but Imran Khan is mocking or taunting the institute for its decision, said the minister. He said Imran Khan should be ashamed that he failed to deliver despite the unconditional support of the institution, instead of attacking on them.
The 70 years record of “Tosha Khana” is available many rulers bought gifts from “Tosha Khana” but Imran Khan is the first one who sold gifts in the market to make money, he added. “I am surprised to think about the morals and standards of Imran Khan’s followers” said the minister adding that Imran Khan was caught red-handed. He said Imran Khan blamed the United States of America (USA) for the vote of no-confidence against him but after a few months, he exonerated the USA from the blame.
Secondly, he blamed the Army, Intelligence agencies and establishment for supporting the opposition in a vote of no confidence motion against him but now he also exonerated them which is a blessing that he admitted his ouster by the parliamentarians in a constitutional way. “Imran Khan had been inviting Army to take control of the country through martial law, but they refused,” said the minister.
He said the establishment took over the country four times in the past and directly ruled for thirty-seven years out of which Ayub Khan ruled for eleven years, Yahya Khan ruled for three years, General Zia ruled for eleven years and General Musharraf ruled for nine years but now the institute has decided to be neutral and play their apolitical role in accordance with the Constitution.
On Friday, Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif said that the process appoint new army chief will begin from Monday and a consensus was created in Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s meeting with President Dr Arif Alvi.
President, Ishaq Dar meeting
On the other hand, in an important meeting held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, in which Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and President Dr. Arif Alvi discussed overall political situation in the country and key appointment.
The finance minister also briefed the president on various steps taken by the government to provide relief to the general public, particularly the unprivileged population and the flood-affected people.
According to the sources, discussions were held on reducing the ongoing tension between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), while Ishaq Dar informed about the PDM government s position on the current situation and the developments in the next few days were also discussed in the meeting.
The meeting also discussed resolving political issues through understanding, while the Minister also conveyed an important message of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the President.
Dar gave a message that the President should play a role for mutual respect and political moderation and there should not be a deadlock on constitutional and legal issues.
President Alvi said that the political affairs can be resolved only in a better environment and legal and constitutional sphere. On this occasion, the demand of former PM and PTI chairman Imran Khan on behalf of the President of the State was placed before Ishaq Dar.
Khawaja Asif
In a special conversation with private TV, the defence minister was asked to give another date as to when the process would start for the appointment because according to the latest information, the government has not yet received the summary, to which Kh Asif replied that tomorrow is the weekend and this process will start from Monday.
Kh Asif went on to say that the new Army Chief’s name would be announced next week and with Almighty Allah’s grace ceremony will be held on November 29.
“For the past several months, Imran Khan has been trying hard to make this issue controversial for his own interests,” he said.
In reply to a question about the rift among party members of the coalition government, he said there was no rift among the party members He said the prime minister was consulting the coalition partners and discussing "important matters with them".
I have no issue with whoever is appointed as army chief: Imran Khan
On November 26, fomer Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supremo Imran Khan said that he has no issue with whoever is appointed as the next army chief, and there will be a surprise for everyone on November 26.
Speaking to a delegation of journalists at his home in Zaman Park, the former premier said that "I know their [incumbent government] plans, but I am planning ahead."
He added that efforts are being made to conduct clean and transparent elections as soon as possible; there is no solution to the country’s problems except for snap polls.
The PTI chief said that messages have been sent to me through President Arif Alvi, adding that talks will take place only after the date given for early elections.
"The whole world is aware of their [incumbent rulers] corruption stories. Even after using the entire state machinery against me, they could not find anything except the watch, and I am going to court over the watch issue," He said.
Rana Sanaullah
On the other hand, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said the appointment of next army chief would be decided in few days.
He said, "the prime minister has the constitutional authority to exercise his power to appoint the army chief".
He said the consensuses have been made for the appointment and the process will be initiated very soon adding "in my opinion, any further delay in the key appointment will not be appropriate".
Replying to a question regarding consultation with coalition parties on the key appointment, he said the prime minister can discuss but the deciding authority rests with him.
Rana Sanaullah said the agenda of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI s) long march to influence the army chief appointment has been failed. PTI chief Imran Khan s narrative was based on lies and baseless accusations on political opponents, he added. "It is not a suitable time to conduct early elections and Imran Khan knows very well that general elections would be held on its scheduled time," Rana Sanaullah said.
Asif Zardari
Meanwhile, former President and President of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari has said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will appoint the new Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) in line with the law and the Constitution.
According to the spokesman for the Bilawal house, here, on Friday, Asif Ali Zardari said that “they strongly believe in the system of promotion in the Pakistan Army”.
He said that all the “three-star generals are equal and they are fully able to lead the Pakistan Army”. He was of the view that the matter of new COAS appointment must not be “politicized” at any cost, which could cause “damage to the institution”.
