Uncertainty in media regarding the appointment of next Army Chief will likely be ended in next one or two days: Khawaja Asif
ISLAMABAD, Nov 23, (SABAH): Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Wednesday said he expected the new army chief to be appointed before Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif left for Ankara tomorrow (Friday). Khawaja Asif said the uncertainty in media regarding the appointment of next Army Chief will likely be ended in next one or two days.
In an informal talk with reporters after meeting with PM Shehbaz Sharif, Khawaja Asif said: “The formalities, the procedure laid down in the law will likely take a day”.
Khawaja Asif said he expected the matter to be finalised before the premier was scheduled to leave for Ankara on a two-day visit at the invitation of Turkish President Reccip Tayyip Erdogan.
When asked whether the matter would be discussed with the cabinet, Khawaja Asif said he was “unaware” of this as it was a “technical” matter. He reiterated that the matter would be decided once the formalities were completed.
He also declined to comment on whether the new army chief would be the senior-most candidate. “I don’t know. You can ask someone else [but] I don’t know.”
The minister went on to say that the prime minister would also take the coalition parties leaders into confidence regarding the appointments during a meeting scheduled later today. “And if a cabinet meeting happens, then the cabinet will also be taken into confidence.”
“Article 243 does not mention the cabinet,” one of the reporters remarked. According to Article 243(3) of the Constitution, the president appoints the services chiefs on the recommendation of the prime minister. “I don’t know that many articles, you should know,” he responded.
The minister was also asked about whether the PTI would call off its long march after the appointment was finalised. “I don’t want to speculate but the uncertainty prevailing over the past few months will end once the issue is settled in one or two days.”
“The prime minister will leave day after tomorrow in the evening. So it will be settled before then,” he said.
Khawaja Asif also lamented the media coverage of the issue. “This is a process with its own sanctity […] it should not have been a part of public debate.”
He also refuted reports that a summary was received by the government containing four names on which objections were raised. “That is incorrect,” he said, requesting the media fraternity to avoid unnecessary speculation.
“The media has been representing vested interests. I think the media shouldn’t be partisan,” he said.
He said that the president and prime minister should take decisions in the country’s interest and in line with the law and Constitution.
Khawaja Asif said that the loose deliveries could not be afforded regarding the matter of chief of army staff.
While talking about the return of Pakistan Msulim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former prime minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan, he hoped that the PML-N supremo would come back to the homeland by the end of this year.
Responding to a question, the Defence Minister said important decisions like the appointment of Army Chief should be taken in the best interest of the country and the nation in light of the Constitution and law without having any political considerations.