Khawaja Asif hints at elections before new army chief's appointment

London: Federal Minister for Defense Khawaja Asif has Wednesday hinted at the possibility of general elections in Pakistan to be held before November, prior to the appointment of the new army chief. 

In an interview with a foreign news agency, the minister said that Imran Khan wanted to do his personal will on the issue of appointment of next Army Chief. 

“The caretaker government may leave before November and a new one may come,” Defense Minister said.   

Referring to the extension of Chief of Army Staff, the minister revealed that General Qamar Javed Bajwa himself has announced that he has no intention to extend his tenure. 

“His decision has closed the door on speculations,” he added.

He said that the procedure for appointment of Army Chief should now be institutionalized like the judiciary. 

Gen Bajwa will remain in office till November 2022, after his three-year tenure was extended in 2019.

He specified that two Army Chiefs were appointed in 2013 and 2016, respectively, and the then Prime Minister made decisions on the basis of merit and valued army’s recommendation—respecting the institution’s proposal, both times. 

Asif said all the names that will be in this list will be considered, asserting: “If the name of Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed was included in the seniority list, then it would be considered”. 

The minister stressed that Imran Khan is simultaneously playing on religion, as well as, repeating anti-American rhetoric— in a bid to hide his failure behind these two or three statements which, unfortunately, became popular among public. 

He was introduced by establishment as an alternative to the traditional politicians, he said, adding that the decision was made to “bring a new man, freshness in politics”. 

However, he harmed the country. 

Slamming Khan’s statement regarding institutes becoming neutral, the federal minister said: “Now, it does not suit him to make institutions neutral,”

Khawaja Asif also said that the anti-establishment statement made by Imran Khan was “shameful”.

He added that Imran Khan wanted to ensure that his political interests and the continuity of his rule were protected. 

“He wants to be in power and the institutions to provide him with crutches,” said defence minister, adding that everything has been revolving around only one person for the past four years.   

Referring to the political turmoil last month in the wake of the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan, the defence minister said: “It gave the opportunity to start afresh”.