Shooting down weeks of intense speculations and rumours, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to appoint General Asim Munir as new Army Chief and General Sahir Shamshad Mirza as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and a summary to this effect has been forwarded to the Presidency for approval, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Taking to the twitter on Thursday, Federal Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif using his constitutional authority has decided to appoint Lt-Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Lt-Gen Syed Asim Munir as the Chief of the Army Staff using the constitutional authority.
The minister further said “A summary of these appointments has been sent to the President of Pakistan.”
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in a tweet, said that the advice has now been sent to President Arif Alvi. “Now Imran Khan's test is whether he wants to strengthen the institution of homeland defence or make it controversial,” he added.
The defence minister said “President Alvi is also being tested here as whether he will follow the political directive or constitutional and legal advice. As the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, it is his duty to protect the institution from political conflicts.”
Talking to the media after the summary was sent to the Presidency, Khawaja Asif said the matter had been decided in accordance with the law and the Constitution, calling on the public to avoid looking at it through a “political lens”. He said the president is bound to follow the prime minister's advice.
The defence minister hoped that President Alvi would not make the appointments “controversial” and would endorse the prime minister’s advice.
Khawaja Asif maintained the president should endorse the prime minister’s advice so that a controversy may not stir. He further said “This will also help the country and the national economy to get back on track quickly. At the moment, everything is at a standstill.”
President House receives summary
President House’s Secretariat has received the summary regarding appointments of army chief and chairman JCSC.
Quoting sources, 24NewsTV channel reported that after president’s approval a notification for these appointments will be issued.
The president will make both appointments under Article 243 of the Constitution as per the advice of the prime minister.
Ishaq Dar praises PM’s choice
Federal Finance Minister has praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s choice for the key posts of army, saying the PM’s decision was based on seniority-cum-merit.
Reporter Awais Kiyani