ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has said the government was not considering “major changes” to the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) 1952, following widespread media reports of proposed amendments to the primary statute that governs the affairs of Pakistan’s all-powerful military, including top appointments.
The defense minister’s comments come ahead of the highly-anticipated announcement of a new army chief when General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure as chief of army staff comes to an end on November 29.
This week, reports in local media suggested the government was planning amendments to Section 176 of PAA, including the insertion of the words “retention” and “resignation” in sub-section 2(a) of the same clause. The reports have speculated that the amendments wwere being proposed either to give Gen Bajwa an extension in service, or in order to be able to appoint Lt. Gen. Asim Munir, the army’s quartermaster general, as army chief.
Gen Munir is technically the senior-most of the top generals but is set to retire days before the incumbent hangs up his uniform.
“Media hype over amendments in Pakistan Army Act is uncalled for,” Asif said on Twitter.
“Government is not considering any major changes in the said Act. SCP had demanded review of relevant clauses of PAA in its judgment in CP 39/2019 which shall be complied with in due course.”
Other front-runners to replace Bajwa include Lt. Generals Sahir Shamshad, commander of the Rawalpindi Corps, Azhar Abbas, the army’s chief of general staff, and Nauman Mahmood, chief of the National Defense University.
An army chief’s tenure is for three years, but they often obtain extensions, as did Gen Bajwa. Despite assurances by the military that he will retire this time, there has been speculation that he could be given another extension in order to play a key role in lowering the political temperature as Pakistan attempts to survive an economic crisis and recover from historic floods.
Appointment of army chief
Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has no favourite for the appointment of the new army chief, adding that consultation in this regard will start after November 18 or 19.
The defence minister made these remarks while speaking with journalists outside the parliament house. Refuting reports of a deadlock between PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari over the name of the next army chief, Asif asked how could a deadlock occur when the consultation has not even started yet. “Consultation would take place after November 18 or 19 over the names sent by the army,” Khawaja said.
Taking a jibe at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Asif said his entire politics revolves around a crucial appointment.
He said legal action should be taken on Imran’s recent statements because he is playing with national interest for the sake of his personal interest.
On Monday, Asif had said that no consultation took place between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif over the appointment of the new army chief in London.