Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani. PHOTO: AFP
The move is aimed at quashing the ongoing guessing game about the next chief of army staff and ensuring a smooth transition at a time when the military is fighting militants on many fronts.
“Consultations have already begun to choose Kayani’s successor. The government will not wait until November 28. The decision will come much earlier than the cut-off date,” a close aide to the premier told The Express Tribune.
Gen Kayani, who was appointed as the army chief by former military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf in 2007, has already availed a three-year extension granted by then prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in 2010. He is now expected to retire on November 28.
The revelation by one of the prime minister’s close aides corroborates an earlier statement by senior leader of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Raja Zafarul Haq, who recently told reporters that the government would soon complete consultations over the appointment of a new army chief.
PML-N spokesman Siddiqul Farooq, however, said that the decision would be taken at an ‘appropriate time.’
The scheduled appointment has gained wide attention given past difficulties faced by civilian governments in appointing successors to the coveted military post.
Former ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had the chance to appoint a new army chief in November 2010 but instead opted to extend the tenure of the incumbent appointed by a military ruler.
The PML-N decision to appoint the new army chief is also under the lens for the party’s close yet troubled ties with the powerful military establishment, which was twice involved in ousting Nawaz Sharif from power.
Critics argue that during the previous two appointments by Nawaz Sharif, Gen Waheed Kakar in 1993 and Gen Pervez Musharraf in 1998, the premier preferred loyalty over merit. However, recent public pronouncements by the premier reflect a growing realisation that he made a mistake in ignoring merit when he made the crucial appointment. Now, the PML-N has taken a stance that it will make its decision purely on merit and will keep seniority in mind when appointing a new army chief.
If the principle of seniority is strictly adhered to, then after the retirement of Gen Kayani on November 28, Lt Gen Haroon Aslam, currently Chief of Logistic Staff, would be the senior most general in the army followed by Lt Gen Rashid Mehmood, Chief of General Staff, and Lt Gen Raheel Sharif.
According to defense sources, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would be sent a shortlist of three generals from which he would likely pick one.
While the premier can pick any Lt. Gen to head the army, a senior PML-N leader says that given the enormity of domestic and external challenges faced by the country, the government will keep the ability to deal with a wide range of issues as a key decision point when considering the appointment.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 12th, 2013.
COMMENTS (23)
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Looking forward to the naming of next President/PM appointed by Nawaz. :)
Gen Zia Ul Haq died on 17th August 1988 following which BB and NS ruled the country twice each and then there have the caretakers and interim setups and yet the five elected DEMONcratic or rather the dackoitocratic governments, besides harping on the Democarcy (DEMONcratic) mantra, and over indulgence in absolute corruption failed pathetically to uproot the ' seeds of terrorism'- 25 loooong years and yet these wretched blighters could not put this hopelss and hapless nation back on the rails! Wake up Awan saheb, come down from the high horse of the sham called democracy presented by our yellow media in conivance with the west and our dear old friend India, and for once think with your own mind.
It is great injustice or complete ignorance to compare AP Kiyani with Zia-ul-Haq. General Zia had sown the seeds of terrorism and comfortably passed a period of decade causing various other security risks for the country. General Kiyani was tasked to reap that crop fully grown and matured and that too under the democratic Govt. of incompetent, corrupt and inexperienced politicians. Despite all these constraints, he did his job well in a highly professional manner. He will be remembered as most loyal, professionally sound and patriotic General in the history of Pakistan army. At the moment Pakistan is positioned at a critical juncture where Army has to play a very basic and vital role, It would be highly advisable for PM Nawaz Sharif that instead of reliance on tested Colleagues of his party, he should severally and jointly take the opinion of all the Lt. Generals in service as to who is most suitable for the position of Army Chief after General Kiyani.
@Muhammad: bahi.......East Pak incident 16 Dec 1971 and gen zia ERA 1977-1988 PLZ comment kerne se pehle History and facts zaroor consider kia kreeeeen
@ Ricky A large number of civilian passenger, including women and children, were also on board the PIA Flight bring General Musharraf back from his Sri Lanka visit. The ban on the landing of that flight at Karachi airport also at grave risk the lives of all passengers. Hence the military coup.
Pakistan is undergoing the worst possible period for its survival . What the problems are? and what is the solution ? none is concerned ! Mr Shareef , the lucky prime minister of the country is busy in performing 'Umra' and meeting the royal family. Another leader Imran Khan is just concerned about 'Drone Strikes' . How naive these leaders are not to realize that in Afghanistan the world ( almost 49 countries) are fighting a menace ! Is Waziristan part of Pakistan ? Can army or any other LEA enter there ? Is this part not housing the 'Criminals' from all around the world who are striking all over Pakistan at the place and target of their choosing. In Pakistan it is total 'Confusion' and lack direction. 'Taliban' is not an ideology, its a criminal gang with its own set of mind . Dialogue / discussion and any adjustment is 'impossible' because they will not budge an inch from their position. They are driven from the religious conviction. If they do not follow it , they will not get 'Janna' ( Heaven) . Taliban must be eliminated ruthlessly with all available might , and cooperation of all neighboring countries including USA and India . The present COAS of Pakistan army is soft and undeceive man. He has not been able to comprehend the real situation. He is divided on good and bad Taliban . They are evil and monster, each passing day they will become stronger and unmanageable . Equally dangerous for Pakistan , Afghanistan and India . Lets hope that the new incumbent is a man of vision , conviction and strength who eliminates Taliban with cooperation and all available resources
Mr. PM, Please don't do the same mistake again!!!
@Muhammad: So we lost East Pakistan under Gen. Zia!! That's a revelation.
Pakistan want a patriot, heroic, dynamic and Imandar military chief.
@Muhammad: East Pakistan was lost under Zia? Interesting.
@Blithe: Zia era was the worst! We lost East Pakistan and the decisions made by him when he overthrow Bhutto are now haunting us in the form of the Taliban!
@voice: and what has democracy given us so far???
@Blithe: zia took internal security so serious that afghan refugees scattered throughout the country unchecked. one of the main cause of terrorism and radicalisation
Given the circumstances and situation our country is in and to uphold the principle of merit... Govt should look no further than Lt Gen Tariq Khan.
Kayani or any other man nothing would change as army has always ruled Pakistan as an institution not as an individual. That is why there has never been a coup or counter coup against any army ruler. In fact when Mush was not even in Pakistan NS was overthrown by the institution not the individual.
Seems like General Kayani has been the COAS since forever. And can pakistan govts stop giving extensions to army chiefs? Going against service norms can't be good for the service
Who gets the baton should depend on successor's capability and urge to fight terrorism. If he is also made of same material, then Kayani should continue, because he is the only one who has earned to perform last rites of this unfortunate country.
@Bilthe, He let democracy to flourish, otherwise could have revive the tradition. Tall claims are easier, though Pakistan is much complex case than ones imagination.
@zulfiqar: These challenges have grown increasingly worse under Kayani's watch. Why prolong the pain? At least there is a chance hat his successor maybe more competent than Kayani.
Lt. Gen Haroon Aslam is a War hero, he was GOC SSG and led SSG guys into Peochar valley himself. He should be the next Army Chief. He deserves it!
Kiyani era will go down as the worst in history for intelligence failures .
At least Gefral Zia-ul-Haq used to take internal security extremely seriously .
Kiyani was sleeping at the wheel.
Major challenges are ahead in the country; terrorism, Afghanistan,India ties
Why not let Gen. Kayani continue for 18 more months