ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has started consultations with the elderly leadership of ruling parties previous to the appointment of the new army chief, sources said Thursday, as the date for peremptory Chief of Army Staff(COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s withdrawal nears.
The confederated parties have completely commanded the premier for making the appointment as per set procedures and traditions, the sources added.
According to sources, Pakistan Democratic Movement(PDM) principal Maulana Fazlur Rehman dialled the high minister to interrogate them about his health.
During the telephone discussion, the two leaders changed views on the situation in the country and the appointment of the new army chief, the sources said.
Sources said the Maulana threw his weight behind PM Shehbaz, saying he should appoint the new army chief as per the set procedure.
Sources said a maturity of the ruling coalition leaders nominated the army chief’s appointment as an executive and optional power of the high minister.
PPP and JUI-F leadership completely authorised PM Shehbaz Sharif to appoint the new army chief as per his wishes.
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Consulting press
PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is also in Islamabad presently, and according to sources, he’s likely to meet JUI-F principal Fazl and PM Shehbaz soon.
The civil press sources said that authorization was noway attained from the press for the appointment of an army chief in history. This is the appanage of the high minister, added the sources.
Some ministers said no fritters would be refocused from any quarter if a blessing was attained from the civil press because a blessing of any important appointment is attained from the press in the light of the Supreme Court’s orders.
Still, other ministers didn’t agree to the suggestion and stressed solely counting on the high minister for the appointment of a new chief of the army staff.
Read More: In farewell meetings, COAS Gen Bajwa advises troops to continue to serve country with same zeal
No favourites
Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif before this week clarified the PML- N had no favourite name for the army chief’s appointment, The News reported.
Speaking with intelligencers outside the congress, the defence minister — when asked about the reports of an impasse between PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari over the name of the coming army principal — said that consultations over the appointment haven’t yet been held and, thus, there was no question of an impasse.
In response to media queries, APP quoted Khawaja Asif as saying “The process for the appointment of new COAS will start from November 18-19 and the nominations will be participated by the Pakistan Army.”
Source: Geo.tv
