PM Sharif will appoint new Pakistan Army Chief in November: Defence Minister Asif

Army Chief General Javed Bajwa, 61, would retire on November 29 and his successor is expected to be announced by the Prime Minister who is legally authorised to appoint the Army Chief

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will appoint a new Army Chief on time in November, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Saturday and accused former premier Imran Khan of raking up a controversy for his personal benefit.

Mr. Asif’s remarks came days after Mr. Khan demanded that the next Chief of Army Staff should be appointed by the new government after fresh elections.

Army Chief General Javed Bajwa, 61, would retire on November 29 and his successor is expected to be announced by the Prime Minister who is legally authorised to appoint the Army Chief.

“Former premier Nawaz Sharif has fulfilled this political responsibility four times and Shehbaz will do the same in November,” Mr. Asif said in response to a question while addressing a press conference.

He said that the policy over the Army Chief’s appointment was clear in the Constitution but Mr. Khan was trying to make it controversial.

“He just wants to make the Army Chief’s appointment controversial,” he said, adding that no one had any doubt about the loyalty of the head of the Army to the Constitution and the institutions.

He also alleged that Mr. Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, would not hesitate in sabotaging Pakistan for his personal benefit.