Islamabad: After President Arif Alvi signed the summary on Thursday and approved the appointment of Lt. Gen. Asim Munir as the Chief of Army Staff and Lt. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. The uncertainty regarding the appointments is over. (CJCSC).
“President Dr. Arif Alvi has promoted Lt. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza HI (M) to the rank of General with immediate effect and appointed him as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee from 27 November 2022. President Lt. Gen. Syed. Asim Munir has been promoted HI. (M) to the rank of General with immediate effect and appointed as Chief of Army Staff with effect from 29 November 2022,” a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat said. .
It further stated that promotions and appointments are made under Article 243 (4) (a) and (b) and Article 48 (1) of the Constitution of Pakistan. Both the Articles are to be read with Sections 8-A and 8-D of the Pakistan Army Act, 1952.
In this regard, the President signed the summary received in his office today.
Both – General Munir and General Mirza – met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Arif Alvi separately after confirming their appointment as the new Chief of Army Staff and Joint Chief of Staff Committee respectively.
چیئرمین جوائنٹ چیفس آف اسٹاف کمیٹی کی تعیناتی کا اطلاق 27 نومبر 2022ء سے ہوگا
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) November 24, 2022
صدر مملکت نے سید عاصم منیر کو جنرل کے عہدے پر ترقی اور ان کی چیف آف آرمی اسٹاف کے طور پر تعیناتی پر مبارکباد دی
چیف آف آرمی اسٹاف کی تعیناتی کا اطلاق 29 نومبر 2022ء سے ہوگا pic.twitter.com/zPddmmMvpg
وزیراعظم نے لیفٹنٹ جنرل ساحر شمشاد مرزا اور لیفٹنٹ جنرل سید عاصم منیر کو مبارکباد دی اور ان کی نئی ذمہ داریوں کیلئے نیک خواہشات کا اظہار کیا pic.twitter.com/YUcEcU4J7D
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) November 24, 2022
Prime Minister Shehbaz tweeted, “Congratulations and best wishes to my nominated Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza and Chief of Army Staff nominated Lt Gen Asim Munir.”
My congratulations and best wishes to the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee-designate Lt. General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and Chief of the Army Staff-designate Lt. General Asim Munir on their appointment.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) November 24, 2022
Earlier today, the government ended speculation that Lt Gen Munir had been chosen by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to replace General Qamar Javed Bajwa as Pakistan’s next army chief.
Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb confirmed on Twitter that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also nominated Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza as CJCSC using his constitutional right.
وزیراعظم پاکستان محمد شہباز شریف نے آئینی اختیار استعمال کرتے ہوئے لیفٹنٹ جنرل ساحر شمشاد مرزا کو چئیرمین جوائنٹ چیفس آف سٹاف اور لیفٹنٹ جنرل سید عاصم منیر کو چیف آف دی آرمی سٹاف مقرر کرنے کا فیصلہ کیا ہے۔ اس بابت سمری صدر پاکستان کو ارسال کر دی گئی ہے۔
— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) November 24, 2022
Asif hopes that there will be no conflict
Speaking to the media after the Federal Cabinet meeting, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also confirmed that the summary has been sent to the President.
Asif said, “All matters have been settled according to the constitution of Pakistan and hope that the president will not create any controversy.” The minister expected that President Alvi would approve the Prime Minister’s advice as per the constitution and law.
He hoped that the above appointments would not be made on political advice.
The minister refused to comment on PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s consultation with President Alvi on the issue. He said that he has tweeted on this matter.
He said that Pakistan Air Force, Navy and Army should not be made controversial. Asif added that a detailed press release will be issued regarding the development.
Before the media talk, Asif said in his tweet that this is a test for Imran Khan whether he can strengthen the institution responsible for the defense of the country or make it controversial.
ایڈوائس صدر علوی کے پاس چلی گئی ھے.اب عمران خان کا امتحان ھے وہ دفاع وطن کے ادارے کو مضبوط بنانا چاہتا ھے یا متنازعہ. صدر علوی کی بھی آزمائش ھے کے وہ سیاسی ایڈوائس پہ عمل کرینگےیاآئینی وقانونی ایڈوائس پہ. بحیثیت افواج کےسپریم کمانڈرادارے کو سیاسی تنازعات سےمحفوظ رکھنا انکا فرض ھے
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) November 24, 2022
It is also a test for President Alvi whether he will follow political advice or constitutional and legal advice. As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, he should protect the country from political conflicts,” Asif asserted in his tweet.
On the other hand, according to the sources of the President’s House, he will leave Islamabad for Lahore today to meet President Alvi Khan.
‘The President and I will play’
Following the news about the prime minister’s selection for COAS and CJCSC, a PTI official shared a tweet in reference to Imran Khan saying, “When the summary comes, I And the President of Pakistan will act according to the constitution and laws.”
Khan was insisting that President Alvi was in touch with him and would consult him on the appointment of the top two posts.
سمری آنے کے بعد میں اور صدر پاکستان آئین وقانون کے مطابق کام کریں گے۔ چئیرمین عمران خان pic.twitter.com/bZ6cp2bc9R
— PTI (@PTIofficial) November 24, 2022
The PTI chief had earlier told a private TV channel that ‘I am in touch with the President on a summary of an important appointment.
“I am in touch with him (the president). He will talk to me about everything. If the prime minister goes to a fugitive, I am the party chief. He will talk to me at all.”
Khan had said that he doubted the intention of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif. He said that I have no problem with making him the Army Chief, but I want the decision to be made on merit.
“The matter was very simple. There are rules of seniority. The army knows which of its people are qualified, but the people who will select and appoint them […] the big corrupt mafia […] I want them. Suspicion is on the intentions and not on the person to be appointed.”
The PTI chief had said, “We don’t know who they will appoint, but the president and I have decided that we will play within the law and do whatever is in the law and the constitution.” .
Who is Lt General Asim Munir?
Lt. Gen. Asim Munir joined the Pakistan Army from Mangala Officers Training School Program and then became a commissioned officer in the Frontier Force Regiment.
He commanded the Northern Areas Force as a brigadier and was appointed Director General of Military Intelligence in early 2017. In 2018, he was appointed Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
After which he was posted as Corps Commander Gujranwala for two years. He is currently serving as Quartermaster at General Headquarters (GHQ).
He will be the first army chief to head both MI and ISI. Lt Gen Munir will also be the first Army Chief to be awarded the Sword of Honour.
The military officer became a Hafiz Quran reciter at the age of 38 when he was posted as a lieutenant colonel in Madinah.
Who is Lt General Sahir Shamshad Mirza?
Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza belongs to the Sindh Regiment and has been the Director General of Military Operations during the tenure of former Army Chief Raheel Sharif.
Lt Gen Mirza also oversaw operations against terrorists in North Waziristan and was part of the contact group overseeing negotiations with Afghanistan.
He was also a member of the Gilgit-Baltistan Reforms Committee. After becoming a Lieutenant General, Mirza was appointed Chief of the General Staff. He is currently serving as Corps Commander Rawalpindi.
Speculations
The issue of the army chief’s appointment is critical in the current political landscape – with Khan seeking to return to power in defiance of the ruling coalition – a hot-button issue since the no-confidence motion against Khan was tabled in April. .
Outgoing COAS Bajwa was scheduled to retire at the end of his term on 29 November 2019, but on 19 August 2019, then Prime Minister Khan extended his service by three years.
There was widespread speculation as to whether General Bajwa would seek another extension. However, the COAS had indicated several months ago that he plans to retire this year.
This was also confirmed by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) at least a couple of times, while General Bajwa on separate occasions twice clearly stated that he had no reason to stay in the post. Not intended.
The General is currently on his farewell tour, which he started with a visit to the Army Air Defense Command on November 1 and followed up with a visit to the Armed Forces Strategic Forces Command the next day.
