President Dr. Arif Alvi to implement Premier Shehbaz’s advice on Army Chief’s appointment

ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 (SABAH): President Dr. Arif Alvi Friday said that he will follow through on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s advice regarding the appointment of the next army chief.

In a conversation with his aides about the appointment of the new chief of army staff (COAS), Dr. Arif Alvi said that he could not create hurdles in the much-anticipated process. “I do not have the legal authority to stop the prime minister’s advice; I have never interfered in the affairs of the state,” President Alvi a leader of the PTI stressed.

The statement comes after PTI Chairman Imran Khan who has time and again called for the appointment of the army chief on merit said that his party will be sitting back and watching, as the government decides to appoint the next army chief.

The incumbent army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, is set to retire later this month and he has ruled out an extension in his tenure and so has the military.

Before consulting the ruling partners, PM Shehbaz approached his brother, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif regarding the decision. In a meeting in London, both the leaders agreed to appoint the military’s senior-most officer as the next army chief.

As he touched down in Pakistan after his London visit last week, the Prime Minister fell sick, but he has started consultations with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders for the coveted slot. The allied parties have fully mandated the premier for making the appointment as per set procedures and traditions.