Imminent changes: Key army shake-up expected in 2 months

Four corps commanders, ISI chief will retire in October 2014.


Kamran Yousaf July 28, 2014

ISLAMABAD:


The Pakistan Army is poised for a major reshuffle at the top as at least five senior generals will retire in the next two months, officials said. This will be one of the major reshuffles in the army’s top brass in recent years.


Those, who are set to retire in October this year, include Corps Commander Peshawar Lt General Khalid Rabbani, Corps Commander Mangla Lt General Tariq Khan, Corps Commander Karachi Lt General Sajjad Ghani and Corps Commander Gujranwala Lt General Salim Nawaz – who will doff their uniform on October 1.

But the retirement of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt General Zaheerul Islam – also due in October – is being seen as the most crucial development.

One security official dispelled speculation about any differences between the ISI chief and the government triggered by the absence of Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam from recent meetings with the political leadership.

He pointed out that Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam might have skipped the meetings in line with his strategy to keep a low profile due to the ongoing ‘Zarb-e-Azb’ military operation in North Waziristan Agency.

The retirement of the DG ISI would no doubt test the skills of the prime minister, who has the authority to appoint the spy chief, although it appears difficult to think the federal government will take a decision without the army chief’s consent.

Meanwhile, the retirement of four corps commanders will provide an opportunity to Gen Raheel to appoint generals of his own choice on key slots. All the four corps commanders who will retire in October were promoted and appointed by the then army chief, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2014.

COMMENTS (20)

SHB | 9 years ago | Reply

@kulwant singh: Common man in Pakistan does not care about these changes in the army. It is ET and it's administration who are so obsessed for unknown reason. Common man is trying to work hard to make it's ends meet.

kulwant singh | 9 years ago | Reply

The duty of the Army is to defend the Nation not to rule the Nation but I fail to understand why common Pak people are so obsessed with the Army Generals come and go after competing their tenure and their are others in line this is routine process making it a News and than discussing I can not understand.

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