Army chief’s appointment: Allies throw ball in PM Shehbaz Sharif’s court

Regarding the appointment of the new army chief, the allies of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government threw the ball in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s court.

The PML-N government’s allies authorised PM Shehbaz Sharif to take final decision regarding the army chief’s appointment while the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz maintained a complete silence.

On the other hand, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan claimed yesterday that the president will consult him ​​before signing the summary of the new army chief.

Last night, PM Sharif hosted a dinner in honour of the heads of all coalition parties after a meeting with having one-point agenda to hold consultation regarding the name of the new army chief.

After the dinner, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari addressed the meeting and said that they have full confidence in PM Shehbaz Sharif and that whatever decision he takes will get their support.

After Asif Ali Zardari’s short speech, all the allies stood up one by one and said they all trust the premier.

حکومت کی اتحادی جماعتوں کے قائدین کا اجلاس، وزیراعظم شہباز شریف پر مکمل اعتماد کا اظہار

وزیراعظم شہباز شریف کی زیر صدارت اجلاس وزیر اعظم ہاؤس میں منعقد ہوا

اجلاس آئینی تقرریوں کے حوالے سے ایک نکاتی ایجنڈے پر منعقد ہوا pic.twitter.com/uEUmeWJMC3

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) November 23, 2022

During the meeting, neither the premier bothered to take the name of any general nor did any of the allies dare to ask for his name.

However, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) chief Khalid Magsi said on this occasion that the nation is waiting for the prime minister’s announcement now.

Mohsin Dawar suggested the premier conduct interviews of all candidates before finalising the name.

On this occasion, PM Sharif said that they have to make some legal changes for which a consultation meeting of the cabinet has been called on Thursday morning. At the meeting, they will decide what legal changes need to be made.

Sources said that changes are being made in some rules and regulations regarding the appointment of the army chief. Sources added that an emergency session of the parliament can be called after the federal cabinet’s session.

Sources told News360 that the name of the new army chief will be finalised today after which the summary will be sent to President Dr Arif Alvi.

It should be noted that former Prime Minister Imran Khan while giving an interview to ARY News yesterday, claimed that he is the head of PTI and the president belongs to his political party so he will consult him before signing the summary.

He added that he and the president will play the cards after the finalisation of the name in accordance with the law.