Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said holding a general election before the appointment of a new military chief could not be ruled out.
Interview no BBC Urduhe said, “We may hold an election before the day [new] appointment of army chief, before November. There will be an acting government at that time. It is also possible that the current government is no more and the new government is over [in power] before November. “
Asif was responding to an interview after he expressed the view that former prime minister Imran Khan had been fired over the appointment of a new military chief.
“Imran Khan wanted to do things his own way in the matter of the appointment of a new general, who wanted to ensure the security of his political ambitions and the continuation of his rule.
The acting Chief of Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa will remain in office until November 29 this year, when his second three-year term expires.
Gen Bajwa was extended by the previous PTI government in 2019.
Responding to a question about whether a coalition government led by the PML-N could offer another acting COAS, Asif said Bajwa had already announced he did not want to extend his term.
The defense minister said he welcomed the announcement because it had “closed the doors of intelligence” and noted that former military commander, General (retd) Raheel Sharif, too, “did not directly or indirectly demand an extension”.
He was then asked if the whole process of Imran’s removal was due to the former prime minister’s desire to “do things his own way”. Denying that this is the case, Asif said it was the prime minister’s right to choose who he wanted from a list of names recommended by the military.
Asif said he believes the process of appointing a military commander should be “established” in the same way as a court. “No speculation about [a chief justice]. I know who will be the chief judge in 2028. “
“In my opinion, instead of discussing the issue of appointment of a military officer, this system should be based on 100 percent. This is a big and very important issue, it should never be a political issue, ”he said. BBC Urdu he quoted her as saying.
Lots to follow.
