“Every decision will be taken in the country’s supreme interest,” the premier was quoted as saying.
A day after army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani ruled out a longer tenure for himself, the Prime Minister House announced that the new Chief of Army Staff and the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee would be named simultaneously following intense consultations.
As rumours swirled over the possible successors of Gen Kayani and Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne, the PM House spokesman said in a statement on Monday that the prime minister has decided to announce the appointments at the same time after holding consultations.
“Expectations regarding the announcement of the successors of the outgoing CJSC who retired on Monday and the army chief whose tenure ends on November 29 are important issues but need comprehensive considerations.”
“Every decision will be taken in the country’s supreme interest,” the premier was quoted as saying.
Separately, Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed, told The Express Tribune that the issue of appointments needed careful consultation. “Let me reiterate that the appointment of military officials on these key slots is an extremely important responsibility of the chief executive and needs comprehensive consultation, covering all dimensions,” he said. “This is being fulfilled by Nawaz Sharif,” he added.
“Despite speculations and rumours, the government will keep its focus on the issues of national interest while appointing the successors.”
According to officials at the PM House, one option is on the table: Gen Kayani is retained as CJCSC and the senior-most general is appointed as COAS. But there is strong opposition to this option, which is why the prime minister has decided to take more time to consult.
Senior leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz have advised the prime minister that even though Gen Kayani carries a distinctive experience of strategic counterterrorism, another extension for him is not good for the country as he has already served for six consecutive years.
Senior defence analyst Lieutenant General (retd) Talat Masood said that the country is facing grave internal and external threats and they should be kept in mind while appointing new heads of the three forces and the military.
“The strategic and diplomatic vision of the chief counts a lot in this regard as the criterion should not only be confined to his approach to counterinsurgency. His ability to deal with neighbouring states, Nato forces and the United States should also be a major deciding factor.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 8th, 2013.
COMMENTS (8)
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"Wide consultations likely: PM to fill top army posts on same day" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ so will another APC be called for that/:) ?
It is only in Pakistan that change of CJCSC and COAS is done after beating the drums in the entire country through media and every one speculate as what is going to happen now.
The change of guards are so important that the civilians think that election will be held to fill up these posts.
When Quaid-e-Azam an Liaquat Ali Khan did not remain in the positions they held previously, why to beat the drums before or after the announcement of the names of new CJCSC and COAS?
Let it be a normal course of retirement, transfer and posting. No need to beat the drums any more.
The strategic and diplomatic vision of the chief counts a lot in this regard as the criterion should not only be confined to his approach to counterinsurgency You seem to suggest that Army should as usual function independent of civilian government whereas armies in democracies all over the world function under the civilians.
The news in WSJ was leaked most likely by PMLN, to put pressure on kayani. He was left with no option but to resign. What amazes me that Nawaz sharif has no homework and has yet to do deliberations. Seems like country is on autopilot right now.
Be a brave man.....NS
Nawaz Sharif should be grateful to Kayani the same way CJ was grateful to Nawaz Sharif & the same way Kayani was grateful to Nawaz Sharif.
One got rid of Mushrraf the other got Mushraf back in the country behind bars.
Three ppl have helped each other a lot. CJP, Nawaz & Kayani.
Not counting banana republics, Pakistan is the only major country in the world where choosing the Army Chief is of such overarching importance. Despite the numerous troubles that his country faces, Nawaz Sharif will spend much of his time, energy and political capital on this matter. Not polio, education, hunger or even the Taliban but the Army Chief. Furthermore, there is little deliberation about the track record or the effectiveness of the armed forces vis a vis the existential issues. No discussion about internal versus external security or where the limited funding should be challenged. It is indeed true that in Pakistan the military owns the country rather than the other way around.
The reason why NATO has lost the war in Afghanistan is because it kept on changing its senior commanders. If only ISAF had the same general in charge for a decade perhaps the Taliban could have been crushed!