How does PM Nawaz select his army chief?

How does PM Nawaz select his army chief?

ISLAMABAD: When it comes to the most sensitive appointment of the new Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Nawaz Sharif, the third-time prime minister, has learnt to keep his cards close to chest until the final moment. So he is following what he has learnt during the last three-and-half decades in politics. Probably this is the lesson number 1 due to his bitter experiences.

“We have given all the input but Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has not yet shown his tilt towards any candidate for the slot; however, it is clear that he would announce the new name at the last minute,” a close aide of PM divulged to The News.

The capital is abuzz and anxiously waiting for the selection of new army chief. Who in the power palaces is either in the guess game or some are silently campaigning for their favourites.

Due to the weak democratic history and long uninterrupted tenures of four military dictators, this slot has become very important, particularly because of the civil military imbalance in the country. Nawaz Sharif is trying silently but with very tiny steps is trying to turn the pendulum in favour of the civilians.

The most circulated question in the power corridors is that who would be the new COAS? Whereas this is actually linked to the question how Nawaz Sharif selects his COAS, as he has become the person who has worked with eight out of 15 different army chiefs starting from Gen Zia down to Gen Raheel Sharif.

Out of these seven, Gen Pervez Musharraf, Gen Ziauddin Khawaja (was appointed by the PM but later was court expelled from the army) and Gen Raheel Sharif were directly appointed by him. In the appointment of two army chiefs – Gen Asif Nawaz and Gen Abdul Waheed Kakar – Nawaz Sharif had key but a limited role due to the powerful President Ishaq Khan at that time.

Out of these 15, he has directly chosen Gen Musharraf, Gen Raheel whereas his selection of Gen Ziauddin on October 11, 1999 could not see implementation.