Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed early Wednesday that the Prime Minister Office has received the summary sent by the army’s general headquarters with nominations for the top two slots of the military.
The minister’s confirmation comes almost an hour after the military’s media wing said it had moved the summary for the top two slots. He tweeted that the PM Office has received the GHQ’s summary dispatched by the ministry of defence.
GHQ has forwarded the summary for Selection of CJCSC and COAS, containing names of 6 senior most Lt Gens to MoD.
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) November 22, 2022
PM Shehbaz Sharif is, moreover, expected to hold a consultation with Gen Bajwa on Thursday on the selection of his successor. It is a convention that the prime minister holds this discussion with the outgoing chief, however, it is described as “informal consultation.”
سمری وزارت دفاع سے وزیراعظم آفس میں موصول ھو گئ. انشاءاللہ باقی مراحل بھی جلد طے ھو جائیں گے..
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) November 22, 2022
On Monday, the PM asked the defence ministry for a summary for the appointment of the next army chief along with the service dossiers of the candidates. Defence Ministry subsequently forwarded the prime minister’s letter to General Headquarters. Besides appointing a new army chief, the government would also appoint a new chairman joint chiefs of staff.
Now, the government is expecting the summary to reach the prime minister’s desk along with the service dossiers on Wednesday. A special meeting of the federal cabinet has been convened for Thursday to deliberate on the appointments.
The government had earlier planned to complete the process by Friday.
The prime minister would after making the choice advise President Arif Alvi to appoint the general as the next army chief. It remains to be seen if the president would agree with the advice or send it back for reconsideration.
On Wednesday, Gen Bajwa would speak at a Defence Day ceremony, which is likely to be his last public speech before retirement.
In his speech, he is expected to touch upon the developments during his extended six-year tenure.
Meanwhile, as part of his farewell visits, Gen Bajwa visited Quetta garrison on Tuesday. According to ISPR, he laid floral wreath at the martyrs’ monument and interacted with officers and troops. He appreciated the efforts and contributions of the corps and its formations towards peace and stability in Balochistan and their assistance to the provincial government during recent floods.
