The military announced late Tuesday night that it had forwarded the brief to the defence ministry after the government spent Tuesday trying to dispel the idea that there was a deadlock with the military over the nomination of a new army chief.
The brief message from Inter-Services Public Relations simply stated: “GHQ has forwarded the summary for Selection of CJCSC and COAS, containing names of 6 senior most Lt Gens, to MoD.” Despite the fact that several ministers spent the day denying the idea that the summary had been received by the PM Office, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif even tweeted as much around 11pm after multiple TV appearances.
Although the communique did not mention which six names have been forwarded, it is believed that the six men currently in the running to be 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)
- Lt Gen Mohammad Amir (Commander Gujranwala Corps).
Earlier, participating in a TV talk show, Mr Asif said there were no differences between the army and the government, and the concerns being expressed by various quarters in that regard were unfounded.
Several PML-N politicians had suggested that the army was obstructing the process a day earlier, including former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and interior minister Rana Sanaullah.
The defence minister, though, said that he had assured Mr. Abbasi that his worries would be allayed. A senior PML-N leader told on Tuesday that the government might be undermined by the delay in submitting the summary and that it would expose the procedure to speculation and legal challenges.
Additionally, Gen. Bajwa is anticipated to confer with PM Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday regarding the choice of his successor. It is customary for the prime minister to speak with the departing chief during this conversation, but it is referred to as a “informal consultation.”
The prime minister requested a summary from the defence ministry on Monday along with the candidate service dossiers for the position of the next army chief. The letter from the prime minister was later submitted by the Defence Ministry to General Headquarters. The government will name a new chairman of the joint chiefs of staff in addition to a new army chief.
The summary and the service dossiers are now anticipated to arrive on Wednesday at the desk of the prime minister, according to the government. The federal cabinet has called a special meeting for Thursday to discuss the appointments.
Earlier, the government had intended to finish the procedure by Friday.
The prime minister would after making the choice advise President Arif Alvi to appoint the general as the next army chief. It remains to be seen if the president would agree with the advice or send it back for reconsideration.
Gen. Bajwa would speak on Wednesday at a Defence Day ceremony, which is probably going to be his final public appearance before retiring.
He is likely to discuss the advancements made during his prolonged six-year tenure in his speech.
Gen. Bajwa, in the meantime, paid a visit to the Quetta garrison on Tuesday as part of his farewell tours. He spoke with officers and soldiers while laying a floral wreath at the martyrs’ monument, according to ISPR.
He appreciated the efforts and contributions of the corps and its formations towards peace and stability in Balochistan and their assistance to the provincial government during recent floods.
