Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has picked Lieutenant Basic Asim Munir as the brand new Military chief to interchange incumbent Basic Qamar Javed Bajwa, the nation’s info and broadcasting minister introduced on Thursday. Bajwa, 61, is scheduled to retire on November 29 after he dominated out in search of one other extension.
Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza has been picked because the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Employees Committee (CJCSC). The picks are pending for President’s approval.
Watch: Sharif’s new Pak Military Chief choose a ‘straight arrow’ at Imran Khan
Who’s Lt Gen Asim Munir?
Lt Gen Asim Munir was among the many three front-runners for the highest two posts. He was head of the Inter-Companies Intelligence (ISI) when tensions between India and Pakistan escalated following the Pulwama suicide assault in February 2019 that resulted within the dying of 40 CRPF personnel. Munir was among the many army decision-makers concerned in shaping Pakistan’s response and safety insurance policies at the moment, in response to folks aware of the matter.
His temporary stint as ISI chief ended abruptly as a result of his no-nonsense angle and by-the-books method reportedly didn’t go down effectively with then-prime minister Imran Khan. Munir’s appointment as the brand new military chief is prone to be a setback for the previous premier because it coincides with a dispute between the army and Khan, who blames the military for taking part in a component in his ouster earlier this 12 months.
A bit of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Celebration favoured his elevation to the publish of military chief because it believes Munir can stand as much as Khan, the folks cited above mentioned.
Munir, who is ready to retire on November 27, was thought-about the proverbial darkish horse due to the technical difficulties concerned. He has additionally been a detailed aide of Gen Bajwa ever since he commanded troops within the Drive Command Northern Areas as a brigadier below the outgoing military chief, reported Daybreak.
Pakistan’s military has traditionally wielded big political affect and dominated the nation for half of its 75-year historical past.