ISLAMABAD / LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday initiated the keenly anticipated consultations with his government allies on the all-important appointment of a new army chief, even as Defence Minister Khawaja Asif revealed that a name would be announced by Tuesday or Wednesday.
On the other hand, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said consultations had been completed and the new chief would be appointed in a day or two.
In a significant development, Asif Ali Zardari, leader of the PPP — the PML-N’s biggest ally in the government — said his party believed in the promotion system for the army and that the top army boss’s appointment would be made by the prime minister as per the Constitution.
He said the appointment should not be politicised otherwise it could harm the institution. “All three-star generals are equal and capable [to hold the office],” he added.
Meanwhile, sources said Prime Minister Sharif, who is currently quarantined after testing positive for Covid-19, has spoken to Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on the army chief’s appointment.
They said a formal meeting of the prime minister with the Maulana and Mr Zardari on the matter was expected on Saturday or Sunday.
The defence minister told Geo News on Friday that the paperwork the regarding appointment of the new army chief would be started on Monday and the appointment made on Tuesday or Wednesday.
The induction ceremony of the new army chief will take place on Nov 29, he added.
The tenure of incumbent chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa is ending on Nov 29 and, according to the laid down procedure, the army proposes a panel of names of the probables for the slot and a summary is sent to the prime minister through the Defence Ministry to make the appointment.
Prime Minister Sharif recently paid a private visit to London where he consulted his brother and PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif regarding the army chief’s appointment. Federal ministers had said that after returning to the country, the PM would take all the coalition partners into confidence on the decision made in London.
Defence Minister Asif said Nawaz had taken all the party decisions in the recent past by taking their allies on board.
Responding to a question if the army and the government were on the same page and who would be the next chief, the minister said the government could not ignore the significance of the army in the system. He said there were many military interventions in the 75-year history of the county.
“If they [army] have become neutral, we should accord them respect and give them a chance to get rid of the 75-year baggage,” he maintained.
Talking about the proposed amendments to the Army Act, he said it was a pending issue that was to be addressed under the Supreme Court’s decision at the time the incumbent army chief was given a one-year extension in his service.
“The amendment has nothing to do with the appointment of a new COAS as it can be done in three to four months,” he claimed.
Earlier, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had said: “I believe the prime minister has completed this process (of consultation about the army chief’s appointment) and will bring it to paper today or tomorrow or the next two days, [it] takes no time.”
Sanaullah said any delay in the matter would not be “appropriate” and the next army chief appointed in the next couple of days.
He also alleged that the purpose of the PTI’s long march on Islamabad was to influence the appointment and not snap elections. “The long march is not really present anywhere — it’s only on the media,” he added.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Imran Khan alleged that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif wanted to influence the appointment of the next army chief.
“The army chief is a professional soldier [but] Nawaz tries to turn that person into the Punjab police chief. I know Nawaz will tell the army chief to somehow get rid of Imran Khan,” he claimed, adding the PML-N leader was not “used to playing with a neutral umpire”.
‘Vested interests’
During his media talk at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore as well as addressing a rally of long march participants in Gujar Khan via video link, Mr Khan alleged Nawaz also tried to bribe former army chief Gen Asif Nawaz with an expensive car at the Murree Governor House, but the offer was refused.
He further suggested that the most senior officer should be appointed the army chief – on the lines of appointment of the chief justice of Pakistan.
“[PML-N supremo] Nawaz Sharif wants to appoint an army chief who will disqualify me and get him (Sharif) exonerated from all corruption cases and then bring him to power,” he further alleged, adding Nawaz had always appointed himself.
The former premier also said the incumbent government was amending the Army Act for its vested interests. “The PDM government wants to bring down the status of Pakistan Army to the level of Punjab police,” he remarked, and added that the PTI would challenge the proposed amendment in courts.
The PTI chief also denied speculation that he met Gen Bajwa in Lahore as part of his party’s backdoor contacts and added that President Dr Arif Alvi had held a meeting with the army’s top boss on the one-point agenda of “early free, fair and credible general elections”.
Separately, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said President Alvi would fulfil his constitutional responsibility in the appointment of the army chief.
“Let me just clarify that whatever step the president takes will have complete backing from Imran Khan,” he tweeted.
November 19, 2022
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1721779/politicking-surges-days-before-new-coas-is-named
Zardari says strongly believes in army’s promotion system
ISLAMABAD: Former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would appoint the new Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) as per the law and the Constitution.
“All three-star generals are equal and fully capable of leading the Pakistan Army.” However, he feared that if the matter of appointing the next army chief became political, it will harm the institution, he said in a statement on Friday.
The statement comes amid debate over the appointment of the new military chief which intensified after the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the military, confirmed earlier this month that General Qamar Javed Bajwa would doff off his uniform on November 29 at the completion of his six-year tenure.
Zardari said, “we strongly believe in the system of promotion in the Pakistan Army.” He urged that the matter of the appointment of the new army chief must not be “politicised” at any cost, which could cause “damage to the institution”.
Appointment of COAS is done on merit, says Asif
The debate is also linked to the current political stalemate stemming from former prime minister Imran Khan’s long march. Political observers are of the view that one of the objectives of Imran’s long march is to influence the army chief’s appointment though he has denied such claims.
According to the sources, the initial consultation process between the government and coalition partners on the high-profile appointment has begun. For this purpose, the sources said that the coalition partners have assured the federal government of their full cooperation. The consultation process took place during the meetings between Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Zardari. Imran Khan’s long march and the overall political situation of the country were also discussed during the meetings.
New COAS to be selected from among three officers: minister
Former prime minister and the PML-N supremo, Nawaz Sharif, also held telephonic conversations with the political leaders during the meetings.
The sources said that the coalition partners urged the prime minister to take decisions as per the Constitution regarding the appointment of the army chief and other important matters.
They were of the opinion that the country will move towards political and economic stability if decisions are taken in unison.
In the meetings, the sources said that it was decided not to give importance to the narrative of Imran Khan and his long march. The three major coalition partners also agreed to work together in the near future, the sources further said.
According to the procedure for the appointment of the new army chief, the Ministry of Defence will send a list of the top five generals to the Prime Minister’s Office for the appointment of the chairman joint chiefs of staff committee and the chief of the army staff. However, the prime minister can ask for more names if he is not satisfied with the list.
The summary for the appointments of key slots in the military will likely be moved closer to the retirement date of General Bajwa. The formal announcement is likely to be made only a few days before the change of command.
Appointment of COAS to be ‘as per law’: govt
Following are the top five generals after General Bajwa: Lt-Gen Asim Munir, Quarter Master General, Lt-Gen Sahir Shahmshad Mirza, 10 Corps Commander Rawalpindi, Lt-Gen Azhar Abbas, Chief of General Staff, Lt-Gen Numan Mahmood, President National Defence University, Islamabad, and Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed, Corps Commander, Bahawalpur.
November 19,2022
Source: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40209708/zardari-says-strongly-believes-in-armys-promotion-system
Govt hints at naming new COAS next week
Ministers’ conflicting remarks on army chief’s statement raises queries
ISLAMBAD:
The formal process to appoint the next army chief is set to kick off “very shortly” as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who otherwise spends his weekends in Lahore, stayed in the federal capital to make the imminent decision.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told a private TV news channel that the process for the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) would start on Monday.
However, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said the new army chief would be announced in the next couple of days.
The conflicting statements being given by the two ministers suggest that the government is under serious stress, as some observers are of the view that this may indicate a possible deadlock between the civil and military authorities on the selection of the next army chief.
With all eyes on the prime minister, official sources said “closed door consultations” were under way in the corridors of power to develop a consensus among the stakeholders for the key appointment.
The process, the sources added, for the appointment would begin “very shortly”. However, they did not elaborate if the decision was imminent on Friday night or within the next couple of days.
Some sources claimed the Prime Minister’s Office might announce the appointment of a new army chief within 24 hours.
Although the appointment of the army chief is the sole prerogative of the prime minister, the coalition government is keen to consult all stakeholders before a final decision is made.
The move is aimed at reaching a broader consensus among the key stakeholders so that the decision serves the interests of the institution and the country.
Hectic political activities were witnessed in Islamabad in the last couple of days with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar holding a series of meetings, including with President Arif Alvi; PPP co-chairperson and former president Asif Ali Zardari; and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in what appeared to be part of efforts aimed at ensuring smooth transition in the army command.
Dar’s meeting with Alvi on Friday was seen as significant, as the summary of the army chief’s appointment had to be signed by the president. There are rumours that the president, who happens to be a PTI leader, may block the summary at the behest of his party chief, Imran Khan.
The finance minister met the president and the leaders of coalition partners on behalf of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz, who could not meet them in person after being diagnosed with Covid-19.
While Dar had a busy day, the focus was also on the defence ministry, which has to send a summary containing eligible candidates for the posts of the army chief and chairman joint chiefs of staff committee to the Prime Minister’s Office.
The sources said the government had called back the defence secretary, who was abroad, to start the process.
The summary is likely to carry names of the five senior-most generals. Traditionally, the prime minister holds consultations with the outgoing army chief on the new appointment. However, the outgoing army chief’s advice is not binding on the prime minister.
In 2013 and 2016, then prime minister Nawaz Sharif had ignored the advice of the outgoing army chiefs.
There is one difference this time though that the political situation is volatile and the PML-N does not have its man at the Presidency.
In the past, the opposition has never raised any questions about the appointment of the new army chief. However, the current opposition leader Imran is taking a keen interest in the matter.
In fact, many observers believe that one of the main objectives of the PTI chief’s long march is to influence the appointment of the new chief.
Against this backdrop, there are concerns that the Presidency may resort to a mischief.
Because of these apprehensions, the PML-N-led government geared up its efforts to smoothly appoint the next military chief.
Dar called on President Alvi a day after he met Zardari and Fazl.
Zardari issued a statement on the military chief’s appointment while the JUI-F chief called on PM Shehbaz despite the latter being in quarantine.
Sources in the ruling alliance said the finance minister and the president discussed the prevailing political situation and the key appointment, observing that there should not be a deadlock on constitutional and legal issues.
Soon after Dar’s meeting with Alvi, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani also called on the president.
The flurry of meetings in the last couple of days suggests that the ruling coalition has accelerated its efforts to end any possible deadlock on the appointment of the new military czar.
The ruling alliance also deliberated on the PTI’s long march, which is expected to converge soon in the twin cities with the demand of snap polls.
Although PTI chief Imran has announced that he had stepped back from the issue of the military chief’s appointment, the recent meetings had taken place against the backdrop of the concerns being expressed that the president might block the government’s decision when the summary was finally sent by PM Shehbaz to Alvi for approval.
The apprehensions were strengthened when PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that President Alvi would fulfill his constitutional responsibilities in connection with army chief’s appointment.
“It should be clarified that whatever steps the president takes will have the full backing of Imran Khan,” Fawad wrote.
Despite announcing that he no longer had any interest in the new COAS’ appointment, Imran once again spoke on the issue in an informal chat with journalists in Lahore by saying that Nawaz wanted to appoint an army chief, who would disqualify the PTI chief from politics.
Zardari issued a statement, saying that all three-star generals were equal and fully qualified to head the army.
However, the PPP co-chairperson said the politicisation of the issue should be avoided at all costs as it would harm the institution.
The discussion over the army chief’s appointment also compelled the JUI-F chief to rush to meet PM Shehbaz, who contracted Covid-19 right after returning from London and is currently quarantined.
The official press release issued after the meeting between Dar and Alvi stated that the minister briefed the president on the overall economic and financial outlook of the country.
It added that the financial czar also briefed the president on various steps taken by the government to provide relief to the people, especially to the unprivileged population of the underserved areas of the country as well as the flood-affected people.
It also read that the two men also discussed various matters concerning finance and the economy.
November 19,2022
Source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2387091/govt-hints-at-naming-new-coas-next-week
Zardari warns against ‘politicising’ appointment of army chief
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari on Friday said that all three-star generals are equal and fully qualified to head the army. However, he feared that if the matter of appointing the next army chief became political, it will harm the institution.
The statement comes amid debate over the appointment of the new military chief which intensified after the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the military, confirmed earlier this month that General Qamar Javed Bajwa would doff off his uniform on November 29 at the completion of his six-year tenure.
The debate is also linked to the current political stalemate stemming from former prime minister Imran Khan’s long march. Political observers are of the view that one of the objectives of Imran’s long march is to influence the army chief’s appointment though he has denied such claims.
Read PTI ‘steps back’ from next COAS appointment issue
“We strongly believe in the promotion system of the Pakistan Army. All three-star generals are equal and fully qualified to lead the army,” Zardari said in today’s statement.
The PPP leader said that the matter of appointment should not be politicised as it will harm the institution, adding that the army chief will be appointed by the prime minister as per the law.
Meanwhile, the initial consultation process between the government and coalition partners on the high-profile appointment has begun.
According to sources, the coalition partners have assured the federal government of their full cooperation. The consultation process took place during the meetings between Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and JUI-F Amir Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Asif Ali Zardari. Imran Khan’s long march and overall political situation of the country were also discussed during the meetings.
Former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif also held telephonic conversations with the political leaders during the meetings.
The sources said that the coalition partners urged the prime minister to take decisions as per the Constitution regarding the appointment of the army chief and other important matters.
They were of the opinion that the country will move towards political and economic stability if decisions are taken in unison.
In the meetings, it was decided not to give importance to the narrative of Imran Khan and his long march. The three major coalition partners also agreed to work together in near future, the sources further said.
Given the past practice, the ministry of defence will send a list of the top five generals to the Prime Minister’s Office for the appointment of chairman joint chiefs of staff committee and the chief of the army staff. However, the prime minister can ask for more names if he is not satisfied with the list.
The summary for the appointments of key slots in the military will likely be moved closer to the retirement date of Gen Bajwa. The formal announcement is likely to be made only a few days before the change of command.
Following are the top five generals after Gen Bajwa: Lt-Gen Asim Munir, QuarterMaster General, Lt-Gen Sahir Shahmshad Mirza, Corps Commander Rawalpindi, Lt-Gen Azhar Abbas, Chief of General Staff, Lt-Gen Numan Mahmood, President National Defence University and Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed, Corps Commander Bahawalpur.
November 19,2022
Source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2386970/zardari-warns-against-politicising-appointment-of-army-chief
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