Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan has revealed that the appointment of the next chief of army staff (COAS) will be made by Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif after consulting leaders of the coalition parties. The consultation process will begin in September.
“The new army chief will be appointed in November. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, after consulting with other coalition leaders, will decide on the army chief. This consultation will start in September,” said Dastgir.
آرمی چیف کی تقرری حکومتی اتحادی جماعتوں کے سربراہان سے ستمبر میں مشاورت کے بعد کیا جائے گا،نئی تقرری آئیندہ عام انتخابات کی شفافیت کیلیے بھی ضروری ہے:وفاقی وزیر خرم دستگیر انہوں نے مزید کہا کہ پنجاب ضمنی انتخابات میں ڈسکہ جیسا کارنامہ بھی نہیں ہو گا اور ن لیگ بڑی کامیابی لے گی pic.twitter.com/0cNW8lw5Zu
“This appointment is not only important for the safety and defence of Pakistan but also necessary for the transparency of the upcoming general elections in 2023,” added Dastgir.
The new COAS appointment is to take place in November this year.
In an exclusive interview with ARY News’ senior anchorperson Arshad Sharif on April 1, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan was asked about options given to him by the Opposition to which the premier said that he does not think he should talk to people like Shehbaz Sharif.
However, PM Khan revealed that he was given three options by the establishment: resignation as PM, no-confidence vote, or early elections.
In response to PM Khan’s claim, sources in the military establishment said that the military leadership did not bring the Opposition’s options to PM Khan but that the government called the top brass and asked for a meeting to discuss the ongoing political scenario, reported Fakhar Durrani for The News. According to the report, PM Khan rejected the options to resign or vote of n-confidence and agreed to dissolving the assemblies and holding early elections.
The military sources told The News that after discussion with the PM, both the army chief and DG ISI met the Opposition leadership on the same day and conveyed the government’s message. The Opposition did not agree to any of the three options and rejected them.
ذمہ دار عسکری قیادت سے ہماری بات چیت کے مطابق وزیر اعظم آفس نے عسکری قیادت سے تحریک عدم اعتماد سے متعلق رابطہ کیا۔ممکنہ آپشنز زیر بحث آئے۔استعفے اور عدم اعتماد کے آپشن پر وزیر اعظم مطمئن نہ تھے۔ تیسرے آپشن پر اتفاق ہوا مگر اسے اپوزیشن نے مسترد کردیا pic.twitter.com/FjsotD2saE
February 27 was a night to remember for Lahorites as Qalandars finally bagged their maiden title while President Dr Arif Alvi and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also watched the final clash of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Sunday.
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa (COAS) also watching the final match of HBL PSL 7 at Gaddafi Stadium #PSLFinalpic.twitter.com/bRiWK8S0pV
The stadium was packed with full capacity crowd while the country’s top commander and President, along with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ramiz Raja, were present to enjoy the much-anticipated game.
According to reports, General Bajwa was accompanied by Corps Commander Lahore Lieutenant General Muhammad Abdul Aziz.
Meanwhile, strict security measures were made for the final game. The top police command of Punjab inspected the security arrangements, while adjourned areas leading to the stadium were closed an hour before the beginning of the match.
Special commandos were also put on high alert on the routes of the guests, reports said.
The seventh edition of the country’s flagship tournament, which commenced on January 27 at seaside metropolis Karachi, came to a successful end on Sunday, February 27.
The government has decided to disclose the details of the agreement with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in the next 10 days. The military leadership had advised against the use of force against the protesters after Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had authorised it, writes Fahd Husain forDawn.
On Monday, a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PNSC) comprising members of the National Assembly (NA) and Senate took place in Islamabad. The parliamentarians were taken into confidence by the military leadership over a secretive deal between the government and the TLP.
The government has fundamentally decided to make public the agreement it signed with the TLP but the secrecy of the details shall be kept intact until its implementation.
Sources privy to the matter revealed that the premier had authorised the use of force against the TLP marchers. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa presented all the gains and losses of using force against TLP workers.
“The army chief said if the decision-makers were ready to pay the price for using force against the TLP, then the military would do as ordered. However, mention was made of the previous instances where the government had used force against citizens – Lal Masjid and the Model Town incident – and participants of the meeting were reminded of the consequences of both episodes.”
“The military leadership, however, advised against the use of force arguing that it was not a solution. It was then decided to opt for a negotiated settlement in order to, as one source put it, ‘avoid bloodshed’. This is when Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman was identified as someone who could mediate an agreement given his standing as a senior Barelvi cleric.”
Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan issued a notification on October 26 for the appointment of a new director-general (DG) of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum has been appointed as the new DG ISI and will take charge on November 20.
Notification for the appointment of the General Officers
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa called on Prime Minister Imran Khan today.
The meeting was part of the ongoing consultation process between the premier and army chief about the timing of change of command in ISI and selection of the new DG ISI.
Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa called on Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI today.
The meeting was part of the ongoing consultation process between the Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff about the timing of change of command in ISI and selection of the new DG ISI.
During this process, a list of officers was received from the Ministry of Defence. Prime Minister interviewed all the nominees. A final round of consultation was held between the Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff today.
After this detailed consultative process, the name of Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum was approved as the new DG ISI.
The designated DG ISI shall assume charge on November 20.
October 12: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday confirmed the meeting between PM Khan and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and said, “PM Khan is the authority in appointing the DG ISI,” further adding that “all legal methods will be adopted in the appointment of the new director-general”.
However, rumours started circulating that PM Khan wanted Lt Gen Faiz Hameed to continue serving as the spymaster for some time due to the critical situation in neighbouring Afghanistan.
October 14: PM Khan convened an emergency meeting of the ruling party’s parliamentary group at Parliament House. Journalists questioned PM Khan about the appointment of the DG ISI. PM Khan did not answer the questions but laughed in response.
Prior to this, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairperson and former President Asif Ali Zardari, made an appearance before an accountability court in Islamabad today, where journalists questioned him about the appointment of DG ISI and he responded with laughter as well.
October 15: Fawad told the media that the notification regarding the appointment of the new DG ISI would be issued in two to three days.
News started circulating that PM Khan would take interviews of the potential candidates for the appointment of the new DG ISI and that a new summary with names of candidates for the position of ISI chief had been sent to the Prime Minister. Fawad denied the news and said, “Prime Minister Imran Khan will just meet all candidates (for the slot of DG ISI).”
October 19: Fawad said, “All the matters have been resolved” and announced that the notification of the new DG ISI would be issued this week.
“It [Opposition] is thinking that there are some differences between the government and security institutions but its euphoria is gradually fading,” said Fawad.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairperson and former President Asif Ali Zardari, when questioned about the appointment of Director General (DG) Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, responded with laughter.
تقرریاں ہو رہی ہیں، سمن جاری ہوا نہیں ہوا، کیا کہیں گے؟، میرا سوال
A journalist asked Zardari, “Appointments are being made, a summon has not been issued, what will you say?”
“My summon?” asked Zardari in response.
“Who will be the new DG ISI?” asked the journalist.
Zardari responded by laughing out loud.
Zardari made an appearance before an accountability court in Islamabad on Thursday and said that the “next turn” to form a government in the country will be that of the PPP.
Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday tweeted that consultation between Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on the appointment of a new DG ISI had been completed and the process for the appointment had begun.
According to experts in defence matters, the procedure for the appointment is not mentioned in the Constitution or the Army Act, and all past appointments were made as per traditions under which the army chief proposes three names to the premier who then makes a final decision, reports Dawn.
Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday took to Twitter and said, “The process of consultation between Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa over the appointment of the new Director-General (DG) of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been completed and the process for the new appointment is now underway.”
وزیر اعظم اور آرمی چیف کے درمیان نئے DG ISI کی تقرری پر مشاورت کا عمل مکمل ہو چکا ہے اور نئ تقرری کا پراسس شروع ہو چکا ہے، ایک بار پھر سول اور فوجی قیادت نے یہ ثابت کیا ہے کہ ملک کے استحکام، سالمیت اور ترقی کیلئے تمام ادارے متحد اور یکساں ہیں
“The civil-military leadership has once again proven that all institutions are united for the country’s stability, integrity, and progress,” said Fawad.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday confirmed the meeting between Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa held last night and said, “The PM and COAS had a meeting last night, the army and government share an ideal relationship.”
“Gen Bajwa and the prime minister have close and good relations … they are ideal relations between the civilian and military leadership,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister’s Office would “never take a step that will disrespect the army and vice versa”.
Commenting on the appointment of the Director-General (DG) of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, Chaudhry said, “PM Khan is the authority in appointing the DG ISI,” further adding that “all legal methods will be adopted in the appointment of the new director-general”.
On October 9, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, calling out the government for failing to resolve public issues, said, “PM Khan is improper for the handling of sensitive matters,” adding that “history is a witness to sacrifices rendered by the institution responsible for Pakistan’s defence. Even Modi could not harm it the way Imran did,” reported Dawn.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said reports were circulating on media for the last couple of days about the army, which he said was an important institution for Pakistan. He hailed the “unity of command” and the public support the army enjoyed but went on to say that the premier had “harmed that institution”.
244th Corps Commanders Conference (CCC) was held at General Headquarters (GHQ) today.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa, presided over the conference. The forum took a comprehensive review of the evolving security situation in the region with a particular focus on Border Management and Internal Security.
Taking serious note of the defamatory propaganda by the Indian military, the forum expressed resolve to take all necessary measures to safeguard Pakistan’s territorial integrity.
“The baseless propaganda only reflects their frustration and an attempt to divert attention from their internal contradictions especially gross human rights violations, being committed in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK),” COAS remarked.
COAS appreciated operational preparedness of formations and focus on training, including enhanced collaboration with foreign militaries and conduct of joint exercises in the operational and counter-terrorism domain.
Federal Minister for information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter and said, “Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, while addressing the Defence Day function, said fake news and disinformation were a threat to national security.”
Fawad wrote, “This analysis is based on the truth, and therefore the Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) is being brought to deal with these threats, as yellow journalism happens to be the biggest threat to freedom of media.”
یوم دفاع کی تقریب سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے چیف آف آرمی سٹاف جنرل قمر باجوہ نے #FakeNews اور #Disinformation کو ملکی سلامتی کیلئے خطرہ قرار دیا ہے، ان کا تجزیہ صائب اور حقیقت پر مبنی ہے اسی لئے PMDA لا رہے ہیں تا کہ ان خطرات سے نبٹا جا سکے آزادی صحافت کو سب سے بڑاخطرہ زرد صحافت سے ہے
Representatives of media organisations rejected the proposed PMDA and termed the concept as an unconstitutional and draconian law against the freedom of press and expression and a step toward imposing state control to regulate all segments of media under over-centralised body.
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a statement said that as part of its crackdown on freedom of expression, the government of Pakistan is seeking broad new powers in the garb of the proposed PMDA.
Information Minister faced a hard time as members of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting demanded to see the draft law of PMDA.
Spokesperson of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Marriyum Aurangzeb, demanded that the draft of the law should be presented for the establishment of the authority instead of a verbal briefing by the minister.
Adding to her point, Aurangzeb said, “The attitude of the information minister was dictatorial.”
However, Fawad Chaudhry said that some people did not want to have any regulations in the media industry, adding that Pakistan cannot turn a blind eye to conspiracies being formulated against it.
