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Shehbaz says Imran is ruining the country, would be disaster for nation
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LONDON: In a late-night development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was supposed to head to Pakistan on Friday night, has extended his stay in London for a couple of days.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reached London on Wednesday on a private visit after attending Climate Implementation Summit in Sharm Al Sheikh, Egypt.
The change in departure was suddenly made and it was said that Shehbaz Sharif was feeling fever and he came back from middle of journey. His family suggested to postpone his departure. Thus, he got two more days in finalising the issues he discussed with elder brother Nawaz Sharif. He will now return to Pakistan on Sunday or Monday.
During his stay in London, PM Shehbaz held four rounds of talks with Nawaz Sharif during which key political issues came under discussion and now he will have more consultations.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed Friday that consultations were held on the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) appointment in the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.
Reacting to the speculations in the media regarding the army chief’s appointment, Asif confirmed that consultations were held on the COAS appointment, however, the decision was not taken yet.
According to informed sources, in London huddle, names of all senior generals were considered to choose news army chief and a name has been decided between Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif. The appointment [of army chief] will be made on the day the PM will receive a summary but definitely before November 29 when the tenure of Gen Bajwa will complete.
Khawaja Asif
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Thursday a decision regarding the appointment of a new chief of army staff was expected in a ‘day or two,’ adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had discussed the issue with ruling party supremo Nawaz Sharif in London this week.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa has been the Pakistan army chief since November 2016. He is scheduled to retire on November 29 this year following the final day of his second three-year term as army chief.
The selection of the new army chief has been mired in controversy in Pakistan in recent months, with widespread speculations that Bajwa might take a second extension, though the military has repeatedly said he would retire on time.
Controversy was sparked again this week as PM Sharif arrived in London for what were widely reported to be discussions with his brother Nawaz, founder of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, on the new appointment. Nawaz lives in exile in London and faces a slew of corruption cases back home in Pakistan.
Speaking to a local TV channel on Thursday night, the Pakistani defense minister, who is also was London and part of the meetings, said the government wanted to deal with the matter of the army chief’s appointment “with dignity” and avoid controversy.
“Views were exchanged on the topic you asked me about, unrest in the country and other affairs,” the defense minister told the channel, when asked about the army chief’s appointment and whether the issue was discussed at the London meetings. “I understand that something will come to the fore in a day or two.”
Referring to a statement by the military on Thursday that General Bajwa had started his farewell visits to garrisons, Asif said it was a “major indication where an institution (army) is taking this matter.” “Instead of making it part of a wider controversy, we want to deal with it with dignity,” he added.
But the meeting between Sharif and his brother has only added to the controversy.
The senior-most officer will be appointed as the next army chief, a high-level PML-N huddle Friday decided, as the retirement date of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa nears.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the PML-N leadership, with party supremo Nawaz Sharif, vice president Maryam Nawaz, and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in presence.
COAS Bajwa is set to retire on November 29 and the PML-N — the major stakeholder in the ruling coalition — has resolved to appoint the senior-most officer whose name is at the top of the list that would be sent to the government.
Following his fourth and two-hour-long meeting with Nawaz, PM Shahbaz told journalists that the army chief’s appointment is a constitutional matter and would decide in line with the constitution.
Apart from the crucial matter of the army chief’s appointment, the high-level huddle took important decisions in London and the PML-N will later take the coalition partners into confidence over them.
PM Shahbaz is now returning to Pakistan, following the meetings. He had arrived in the British capital after concluding his two-day visit to Egypt, where he attended the COP27 summit.
Meanwhile, PTI chief Imran Khan has also reiterated his stance on appointing the army chief on “merit” and criticised PM Shahbaz for consulting Nawaz for making this decision.
During his address to participants of his party’s long march in Gujrat via video link, Khan said: “Whoever fits the merit, should be appointed the army chief.”
“Nawaz Sharif always brings up the man who is beneficial for him,” Khan said referring to the appointment’s decision.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has accused former prime minister Imran Khan of attempting to ruin Pakistan through his agitation.
Briefly speaking to the media after holding the third round of talks with former PM Nawaz Sharif, the PM said that Imran Khan wants to ruin Pakistan but this will not happen. The PM said: “Defeat is the destiny of those who are doing the long march.”
The PMLN supremo Nawaz Sharif said: “Let’s pray for the betterment of Pakistan. Let’s pray to Allah for guidance on putting Pakistan on the right path. Pakistan is in great difficulty.” Nawaz Sharif said, “We have never listened to the dictation of mobs before and will not do so now.”