Islamabad: According to sources, the Prime Minister’s Office has received the summary regarding the appointment of the new Army Chief from the Ministry of Defense on Monday.
Sources revealed to JEE News that five names are mentioned in the summary. However, the Prime Minister’s Office has not yet confirmed the development.
Yesterday, a top government official dismissed speculation that there was a civil-military deadlock over the key appointment.
“You will see a clear picture of the appointment process by Monday evening,” a senior official told JEE News on Sunday on the request of anonymity.
The new army chief will assume charge on November 29 as incumbent General Qamar Javed Bajwa will hang up his uniform on the same day after completing six years in office.
There has been unusual interest in the appointment of his successor as many believe that former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s long march is linked to a change of command in the army. He has asked his supporters to gather in Rawalpindi on November 26, two days before General Bajwa handed over the baton to the new army chief.
There are speculations that the government and the army may lock horns over the new appointment. One assumption is that the army is not agreeing to the government’s nominee for the top post.
However, a top government official dismissed these claims. There is no disagreement between the civil and military leadership on this issue. Everything is on track.
When asked, the official said the government will receive the summary from the defense ministry only when it requests it.
“We have not yet requested a summary,” the official said, adding that the prime minister would write a letter for the summary soon. The official said that the appointment will be done as per the plan.
Questions have also been raised on the seniority list. Rumors are that a certain candidate may not be part of the shortlist as his retirement is to be preceded by that of the Army Chief.
But the government figure rejected such claims, saying they would be too much of a summary and be considered for the top slot.
According to the seniority list, Lt. Gen. Asim Munir, Lt. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Lt. Gen. Azhar Abbas, Lt. Gen. Nauman Mehmood and Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed are in the fray for the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Army Chief.
