Procedure with regard to appointment of Army Chief will be completed as per law & the Constitution: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD, Oct 05 (SABAH): Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif says next general elections will be held as per schedule and the procedure with regard to appointment of Army Chief will be completed as per law and the Constitution.

While addressing a press conference at Press Information Department (PID) in Islamabad on Wednesday, Khawaja Asif said it is the discretion of the Prime Minister to pick any name forwarded by the Ministry of Defence. The Defence Minister said armed forces are the defenders of Pakistan’s frontiers and security. He said they are not meant for safe guarding interests of an individual.

Khawaja Asif said we voted out Imran Khan from power through the no-confidence motion as per democratic process.

He said Imran Khan, through his lies, is continuously misleading the nation. He said audio leaks of Imran Khan had exposed foreign-conspiracy mantra.

The Minister said it has been a long struggle of politicians that our institutions should remain neutral. He said it seems strange that Imran Khan uses inappropriate language against state institutions for staying neutral. He said at present the armed forces are fighting a low intensity war against terrorism and the entire nation should stand behind their security agencies.

Khawaja Asif claimed Imran Khan sent a message through President Dr. Arif Alvi to initiate discussions with the ‘establishment’. The minister said the PTI chief was “losing his nerves” as November – and the much talked about appointment of a new army chief – draws closer.

“Imran Khan has not been in his right mind and is fearful as November is fast approaching,” said Khawaja Asif, adding that things will pan out according to the law and Constitution in November.

Khawaja Asif went on to add that the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure is concluding by the end of next month and he should be allowed to spend time with the soldiers “respectfully”. The defence minister reiterated that the government has yet to decide on General Bajwa’s replacement.