Islamabad: These days there is continuous speculation about the new army chief in Pakistan. However, India is also keeping an eye on this. In this sequence, on Tuesday, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif chaired two important meetings to discuss important appointments in the army, including the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). According to top government sources, the names will be finalized by November 24. Because on November 29, the tenure of General Qamar Javed Bajwa will end.
Discussion is going on these three names
According to government sources, till now Lieutenant General Asim Munir, Nauman Mehmood, and Azhar Abbas are considered to be the main contenders for the army chief. Asim Munir is the most senior. Abbas is considered an Indian expert in the Pakistan Army, while Nauman Mehmood belongs to the Baloch Regiment and is the president of the National Defense University. Sharif met top military leaders including General Qamar Javed Bajwa and the Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Defense Minister holds meeting with heads of security agencies
Another meeting was held with Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and heads of security agencies. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Malik Ahmad Khan and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar were also present in the meeting. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif had said that after consultations, the PM will choose the new army chief. The appointment of the army chief holds significant power in influencing the country’s politics, especially foreign and defense policies.
Defense Minister had warned Imran Khan
Meanwhile, the Defense Minister had warned Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former PM Imran Khan that the government would deal with him once the new army chief was elected. According to the news agency ANI, he made this comment in the Pakistan National Assembly.
Imran Khan wants early elections
News18 had earlier reported that Imran Khan’s PTI wants an early announcement of the election date in the country in view of the political and economic instability in the country. If the government accepts the announcement of the date of early elections, then PTI will be ready to rejoin the Parliament for talks on the electoral structure.
