General Khalid Shameem Wynne (C), the outgoing Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee reviewing the guard of honour presented to him by a tri-services contingent during a farewell ceremony held at the Joint Staff Headquarters. PHOTO: ISPR
The decision comes after the incumbent CJCSC General Khalid Shameem Wynne stepped down from the office owing to his retirement.
Wynne is set to retire on October 8 after completing 42 years of active service, three of them as the CJCSC.
Speculations over a replacement have been rife as the government did not announce names of a successor, either for General Wayne, nor for Army Chief General Kayani who retires on November 29.
In a statement released from the Prime Minister's house on Monday, the government said that names for the posts will be announced after "comprehensive considerations."
"While expectations regarding announcement of successor to outgoing CJCSC, before October 8, and retirement of Army Chief, on November 29, are reasonably important issues which need comprehensive considerations."
The statement added that the prime minister has decided to announce successors for both posts "at the same time."
The army chief had tried to tone down speculation over his post by announcing on Sunday that he will hang up his uniform on November 29.
Sources said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wants to revamp the office of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) and make Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani its head.
One senior intelligence official earlier told Reuters that Nawaz planned to overhaul the JCSC, a largely ceremonial office, into a “central defence body” by restoring its command over the entire military establishment and giving it additional powers.
“The new JCSC chief will be in charge of the nuclear arsenal. He’ll decide on action against terrorists,” said the source, adding that new powers included the right to promote, post and transfer key military officers.
“Basically, the JCSC office will be what it was always supposed to be. The overall boss.”
New CJCSC
A defence ministry official privy to the development had told The Express Tribune that a summary had been prepared for the appointment of a new CJCSC.
The formal proposal includes the names of Pakistan Navy chief Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila, Lt General Haroon Aslam from Pakistan Army and Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt as potential candidates.
Speaking on condition of anonymity the official said the names were shortlisted based on seniority. Both Sandila and Butt are the senior-most officers in their respective forces while General Aslam will be the senior-most military officer in the army after the retirement of army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
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The senior most among the three candidates should be given this 'ceremonial' post regardless whether the candidate is from Army or not. Other forces also deserve a chance to enjoy the 'perks and privileges' offered through this position. I say we give Navy or Air Force a chance this time!
“Basically, the JCSC office will be what it was always supposed to be. The overall boss.” I doubt if the khakis(army) will give up their monopoly on power and hands in the national-cookie-jar that easily. So much on the gravy train is at stake for the army if JCSC decided to treat all the armed forces (army, navy, air force) on the par or even-handedly!
Another person will come in the very graceful uniform.
People of Pakistan loves Pakistan's Armed Forces.
PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
Shuffling the seats on the Titanic! I can see where it will all lead to.
Nawaz Sharif seems to be a lazy person. He has no sense of urgency for matters of national importance. He is consistently late on every issue/appointment/task that comes to him.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee should be a "CIVILIAN", instead from Army and COAS should remain from Army.
This combination can work very well between the Civilian Government as well as with all the three Armed Forces.
What have been the achievements of the current COAS? Terrorism is at its peak. His own colleague generals were killed during his tenure. The Sri Lankan team got attacked in 2009. He uttered not a single word against the corruption of the previous government. The energy crises worsened in the country. Whats really is the point of having a professional organization with 200 Generals and there is not plan for energy security, internal security, diplomatic prowess via security, economic security. You simply cant pass the buck to the civil institutions which are brought to ground zero by the very deputations of army men into civilian affairs. And how do you justify 200 Generals in the army? WE dont even have 200 cities in the country.
This guy is worse then Yahya khan :(
"...by restoring its command over the entire military establishment"."Basically,the JCSC office will be what it was always supposed to be.The overall boss". Both the statements are factually wrong and misleading.The CJSC was never since its inception in Pakistan ever given the command over the entire military establishment.So,the question of' restoring its command',is baseless. Secondly, it was never supposed to be the 'overall boss', as the name 'Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee(CJSC)', suggests, he is the Chairman of the committee of the three armed services chief,and is the forum responible for coordination of the war effort between the three services both during peace and war.The actual command including planning and execution of of war plans is the responsibility of the ' respective service chief ',both during peace and war.The CJSC,during peacetime is responsible for planning the defence of the country and act as advisor to the government and its main institutions such as PM and others.During war he is the' Principle Staff Officer to assist the government. Technically,the boss of military establishment is 'Ministry of Defence'/Defence Minister' and the President is the commander in chief of the armed forces, as per the constitution of Pakistan.If the present government wants to revamp/ enhance the powers of 'JCSC office',it has to amend the constitution and make new rules.
Make Musharraf the next big thing!
So you have a PM, a Defense Minister, JCSC and a COAS. A perfect tossed salad.
Paaji. Pakistan dey kol navy haigey ? Give them a chance too. Lol. Rab rakha
@Ch. Allah Daad: Will never. Forget this wish.
Go ahead and appoint your own executioner.
It is better to give a chance this time to Air Force chief as most air force personnel are better educated and more intellectual than the rest of the three forces......
Only God knows when Mian Sahib will learn.
So Gen Kiayani Zinda Bad. What ever WSJ leaked and ET reported proved true. Pitty on the incompetence of civil elite. Stick to chair what ever the case may be. Let the country to doom.
This "SOURCE" is 90% of the time gives wrong reports. Govt has already denied any extention or new post to Kiyani. In today's newspaper, Kiyani himself was reported saying he will retire on 29th Nov. So should we stop qouting the UNKONW sources..
Powerful JCSC head might create multiple tensions and possible deadlock between JCSC head vs other heads and PM.
General Kayani is the most powerful person in Pakistan since last 7/8 years. Terrorism increased many fold and in shape during Kayani's tenure. Many people doubt if could deliver any better if made powerful JCSC head.
Go Sandilla!!!