The summary from the Ministry of Defence with a “panel of names” for the nomination of the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) was received, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) announced on Wednesday morning.
“The prime minister will take a decision on the appointments as per the laid down procedure,” the early morning statement said.
The PM Office has received the summary from the Ministry of Defence with a panel of names for the appointment of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of the Army Staff. The Prime Minister will take a decision on the appointments as per the laid down procedure.
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) November 23, 2022
Late on Tuesday night, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif tweeted the same thing, stating that the summary had been sent from the Defense Ministry to the PMO. “The remaining phases will soon be finished,” he stated.
A few hours after the military acknowledged sending the report to the defence ministry, a new development occurred.
Even if a number of ministers took the day to deny that the PMO had received the summary, Inter-Services Public Relations’ brief statement was clear. It stated, “GHQ has forwarded the summary for selection of CJCSC and COAS, containing names of 6 senior most Lt Gens, to MoD.”
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
It is believed that the six men currently in the running to become the next chief of army staff are (in order of seniority) Lt Gen Asim Munir (currently Quarter Master General), Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza (Commander 10 Corps), Lt Gen Azhar Abbas (Chief of General Staff), Lt Gen Nauman Mehmood (NDU President), Lt Gen Faiz Hamid (Commander Bahawalpur Corps), and Lt Gen Mohammad Amir (Commander Gujranwala Corps).
The defence minister had earlier stated during a TV chat show appearance that there were no divisions between the army and the administration and that any worries being voiced in this regard were false.
Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, the outgoing army chief, is additionally anticipated to confer with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday regarding the choice of his replacement.
It is customary for the prime minister to speak with the departing chief during this conversation, but it is referred to as an “informal consultation.”
To read our blog on “PM urges defence ministry to identify potential COAS candidates,” click here.
