ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has started consultations with the senior leadership of the ruling parties before appointing a new army chief, sources said on Thursday after the retirement of the current Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. The date is approaching.
Sources further said that the coalition parties have given full mandate to the Prime Minister for appointment as per the prescribed procedures and traditions.
According to sources, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman telephoned the Prime Minister and inquired about his well-being.
Sources said that during the telephonic conversation, the two leaders discussed the country’s situation and the appointment of a new army chief.
Sources say that Maulana threw his weight behind Prime Minister Shehbaz and asked him to appoint a new army chief as per the agreed procedure.
Sources said that the majority of the leaders of the ruling coalition termed the appointment of the army chief as an administrative and discretionary power of the prime minister.
The leadership of People’s Party and JUI(F) gave full authority to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint a new army chief as per his wish.
Advisory Cabinet
PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari is currently in Islamabad and according to sources, he is likely to meet JUI(F) chief Fazal and Prime Minister Shehbaz soon.
Sources of the federal cabinet say that permission was never taken from the cabinet for the appointment of the army chief in the past. Sources further said that this is the prerogative of the Prime Minister.
Some ministers said that if the approval is taken from the federal cabinet, no finger will be raised from any quarter because the approval of any important appointment is taken from the cabinet in the light of Supreme Court orders.
However, other ministers did not agree with the proposal and insisted on relying solely on the Prime Minister for the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff.
‘No Favorites’
According to JEE News, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif clarified earlier this week that the Muslim League (N) does not have a favorite name for the appointment of the Army Chief.
While talking to journalists outside the Parliament, when the Defense Minister was asked about news of deadlock between Muslim League (N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and People’s Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on the name of the next army chief, he said: He said that there has been a consultation on the appointment. had not yet been held and therefore the question of deadlock did not arise.
In response to media queries, APP quoted Khawaja Asif as saying: “The process of appointment of the new Army Chief will begin from November 18-19 and the nominations will be shared by the Pakistan Army.”
