Khawaja Asif, Minister for Defence, confirmed on Monday that the process for appointing the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the new chairman joint chiefs of staff committee (CJCSC) has started today.
Setting aside speculations that had been raging since weeks, Asif confirmed that the Prime Minister’s (PM) Office had received a summary in this regard.
“The process of appointing [officials] to Pakistan Army’s highest positions has started today; God willing, the appointments will be made soon as per the constitutional requirements,” the minister said in a tweet.
Talking with media, the minister said that the process of appointing the army chief would be completed by November 25, and the summary would be moved within a day or two.
“There is no deadlock over the appointment of the army chief. Once we receive the summary, we will discuss the names — probably five or six senior-most officers,” he said.
Asif had earlier said that the name of the new COAS will be revealed by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Discussing the all-important appointment on Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath”, the defence minister said that the process to appoint a new head of the armed forces would start on Monday.
During the show, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said that the change of command ceremony would be held on November 29. He also predicted that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march would suffer a severe blow the day the appointment decision was finalised.
