\u00a0In a bid to avoid conflicts and politics over the appointment of the army chief, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Monday suggested that the legislation introduced during PTI’s government to extend the tenure of the army chief should be abolished.
\nIn an interview with a private TV channel, Sanaullah said that the legislation will keep disturbing every army chief in the future as well.
\nReferring to the procedure for the appointment of the chief justice of Pakistan, the interior minister underscored the need for devising a formula for the appointment of COAS. He was of the view that the senior-most officer should be appointed as the next army chief through a judiciary-like system.
\n\u201cThe prime minister has discretion regarding the army chief’s appointment,\u201d he said, adding that the prime minister should consult with all the stakeholders about the appointment.
\nThe interior minister said that the prime minister will announce the name of the new COAS in the next few days.
\nResponding to a question about the differences between Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz over the name of the next army chief, the interior minister termed the reports as rumours.
\nNo consultation between Nawaz, Shehbaz on COAS appointmentEarlier in the day, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif maintained that the army chief’s appointment will be done on the prime minister’s discretion.
\nSpeaking with journalists outside the National Assembly, the minister said: “The prime minister has discretion regarding the army chief’s appointment; therefore, the prime minister will make a decision on the appointment.”
\nWhen questioned if a decision on army chief’s appointment has been made, the defence minister responded in the negative.
\nResponding to another question about the role of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif in the appointment, Khawaja Asif said that it will be done on the “premier’s discretion” and he will decide.
\nWhen asked if Nawaz Sharif was not being consulted on the matter, the minister said: “Consultations have not yet taken place on the army chief’s appointment. These are just newspaper reports.”
\nLast week, PM Shehbaz flew to London \u2014 after returning from his visit to Egypt to attend and co-host the United Nations’ COP27 \u2014 where he met the PML-N supremo and party’s senior leadership.
\nIt was reported that discussions during these high-level meetings revolved around crucial political matters in Pakistan including the new army chief’s appointment.
\nMeanwhile, after extending his visit twice following health reasons, the prime minister returned to Islamabad earlier today; however, the decision on the important appointment \u2014 according to the defence minister \u2014 is yet to be taken.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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