Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated on Monday that the General Headquarters (GHQ) has been told that the Ministry of Defense has received the letter from Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on the appointment of a new chief of army staff.
Asif told the National Assembly that the procedure would be finished in two to three days. After the excitement subsides, we’ll deal with [PTI chairman] Imran Khan.
On his official Twitter account earlier today, the minister declared that the selection process for the new army chief and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee (CJCSC) had begun.
Commenting on news regarding the army chief’s appointment, the defence minister said: “Fake news was spread regarding the appointment of an institution’s head.
“This institution has had a role in the past, which was extra-constitutional. Today, the institution wants to play its role based on the constitution. Today, after 75 years, the institution wants to obey the constitution which shouldn’t be hindered.”
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Asif rebuked Khan for complaining about the bias of state institutions, claiming that these organisations had been on his side for four years.
“Despite the backing, Khan should not target these institutions if he couldn’t accomplish anything in four years,” the minister insisted.
The defence minister claimed that Khan used to sell the presents first and then give the money — acquired through them — to the government in his comments regarding the Toshakhana case against the PTI leader.
پاک فوج کے اعلیٰ ترین عہدوں پہ تقرری کا عمل آج شروع ھو چکا ھے انشاءاللہ جلد تماتر آئینی تقاضوں کیمطابق تکمیل ھو جاۓگا.
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) November 21, 2022
“For 15 years, Khan’s ascension to power was planned. This is a dishonourable tale. All individuals in charge within the power system, not just politicians, were involved, the minister continued.
After meeting with PM Shahbaz earlier today, the senior minister told reporters that the selection process for the army commander will be finished by November 25 and that the summary would be submitted within a day or two.
“There is no impasse about the selection of the army chief. The names, which are likely to be those of five or six senior-most officers, would be discussed after the summary is obtained”, said he.
According to the defence minister, there is no pressure on the government to select the army commander because the PML-N is discussing its allies on the appointment to the coveted position.