I’m in touch with Alvi on COAS pick: Imran

PTI chief Imran Khan said on Wednesday that President Arif Alvi was in contact with him and would consult him on the appointment of a new army chief as he was the party chief.

He asserted that if the prime minister can liaise with an “absconder” – a reference to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif – then the president can consult with me as I am the party chief.

“I am in contact with the president over the summary related to a key appointment. He will discuss everything with me. The prime minister goes to an absconder so I am a party head,” Imran said in an interview on a private news channel.

“The president will absolutely discuss the matter with me,” he further said and added that he was not aware of who they will appoint but “the president and I have decided that we will play with this within the law and do whatever is in law and Constitution”.

The controversy was sparked earlier this month after reports were rife that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif went to London to reportedly deliberate on the new appointment with the elder Sharif.

PTI has vehemently criticised the meeting and said that someone who does not hold government office and has “absconded” from the law should not be part of discussions on what is considered to be the most important appointment in the country.

It is pertinent to mention that PM Shehbaz Sharif is expected to hold a consultation with outgoing army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday on the selection of his successor.

After making the choice, the prime minister would advise President Arif Alvi to appoint the general as the next army chief. However, it remains to be seen if Alvi, who has in the past declined to greenlight the PML-N-led government’s decision, would agree with the advice or send it back for reconsideration.

‘Nawaz-appointed COAS will be controversial’

During the interview, the former prime minister also reiterated doubts about the intentions of the Nawaz Sharif, who the PTI chief blames was calling the shots in the matter from London.

Imran also underlined the principles of seniority in the matter of army chief appointment and said the army knew about the persons capable for the top slot. However, he expressed strong misgivings about the people and “the big corrupt mafia” who will choose and appoint the new chief of army staff.

He said he had no beef with the person being appointed as his only assertion was that the decision should be taken on merit. He added he had no stakes in the decision or any relation with the decision because he does "not have any corruption cases to close with their help”.

PTI chief went on to say that anyone appointed by Nawaz Sharif will become “controversial” from the first day, adding that he will end up becoming “Nawaz Sharif’s man”.

“If Nawaz Sharif thinks he can bring his army chief and get us beaten by the establishment then the nation will stand against it.”

‘Biggest gathering on Nov 26’

The former prime minister predicted that the PTI’s activities in Rawalpindi on November 26 will be the “biggest gathering” in the country’s history, saying a “sea” of the public would come out because it had witnessed what the government had done in the past few months since his ouster.

“The nation will come out on its right for peaceful protest and the sea of people will tell Pakistan was not made for a small group of thieves to come and decide its affairs.”

Imran said he would give the next plan of action for the party’s long march on Nov 26, adding that his movement for “real freedom” would not stop even with new elections.