Pakistan's Prime Minister names Lt General Asim Munir as his pick for new Army chief

After much speculation, Pakistan's next Army Chief has finally beem chosen, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday opting for Lt Gen Asim Munir to take the mantle.

Lt Gen Munir will succeed 61-year-old General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who is set to retire next Tuesday, November 29. Bajwa ruled out extendid his stay, having received one three years ago.

Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza had been picked as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).


Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb made the announcement on Twitter.

“The summary about (appointments) has been sent to the President,” Marriyum Aurangzeb tweeted.

Both officers have also been promoted to four-star generals.

Pakistan's top officials are all in the process of making the appointment final, with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif telling media that the recommendation has been forwarded to President Arif Alvi, who will confirm the appointment.

Asif called on citizens to refrain from viewing it through a “political lens,” according to a Dawn newspaper report.

The Minister also said that he hoped the President would heed the recommendation and not make a 'controversial' appointment.

“This will also help our country and the economy to get on track. Currently, everything is at a standstill,” Asif added.

Pakistan's CJCSC is the highest authority in the hierarchy of the country's armed forces. However, key responsibilities, including mobilisation of troops, appointments and transfers lie with the COAS which makes the appointment a testy situation for everyone in the country's political circles.

With inputs from PTI