As the appointment of a new Chief of Army Staff nears, the federal government’s coalition partners have had their say, with no favorites identified.
In a statement on Friday, former president and co-chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari broke his silence on the upcoming appointment.
Zardari said that he strongly believes in the promotion system in the army.
He further said that there should be no politics on the appointment of the new army chief.
If it is politicized, it will harm the institution.
Noting that he had no favorite and that all three-star generals were equal to him, he said the prime minister – who has the legal mandate to appoint a new chief – would decide who would lead the country’s army. Who will
His statement came at a time when the government is preparing to start the process of appointing the next army chief.
There are reports that the Prime Minister may approve the final name from the Federal Cabinet.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has tried to make the appointment of any army chief controversial by the current government, saying that the army was formed by a coalition comprising ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Anyone is chosen for leadership. The corruption of former President Zardari and current Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and the interests of the rulers will be protected.
The current Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa is set to retire on November 28.
