-Information Minister says authority to appoint ISI Chief rests with PM
-Claims PMO will never take step that would hurt Army’s reputation
-Adds COAS and the Military have no plan to sideline PM and the civilian set-up
-Shares PM, Army Chief held detailed discussion on the appointment of ISI Chief
-Reiterates govt’s will to give voting right to expats
By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday said that the relations between the government and the military were “ideal”.
Addressing a press conference after a weekly meeting of the Federal Cabinet, the Minister said the new director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) will be appointed in accordance with the existing rules and regulations and the authority to appoint the new spymaster rests with the Prime Minister.
According to Fawad, PM and Army Chief had a “long meeting” last night to stamp out issues surrounding the ISI chief’s appointment. “Imran Khan and Gen Bajwa enjoy a very close relationship and the ties between the two are cordial,” Fawad added.
He added that the Prime Minister’s Office will not take any kind of step to undermine the Pakistan Army and its chief, Gen Bajwa, whereas the military and the army chief won’t take steps to sideline the Prime Minister and the civilian set-up.
The federal minister said that a new ISI chief will be appointed in accordance with the constitutional and legal requirements as agreed by the PM and the army chief.
The authority to appoint the new DG rests with the premier, Fawad said, adding that the decision will be taken after thorough deliberations.
Fawad refused to answer more questions regarding the ISI chief’s appointment, saying: “I have already answered the question.”
Last week, the military’s media affairs wing had announced that Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum had been appointed as the new ISI chief.
Meanwhile, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, formerly the ISI director general, was posted as the Peshawar corps commander.
However, despite the passage of days following the announcements by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a notification confirming Lt Gen Anjum’s appointment as the new DG ISI was not issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, leading to feverish speculation in the federal capital.Speaking about the funeral of Dr Abdul Qadeer on Sunday, Fawad said at least 15 ministers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) attended the last rites of Dr Qadeer and added that chairman joint chiefs of staff and the naval chief also attended the funeral.
“No cabinet meeting goes without the mention of overseas Pakistanis’ right to vote,” Fawad said, adding, “the government will ensure that overseas Pakistani are given the right to vote in the next general election.”
The information minister clarified that PTI has appointed more than 80 officials on top posts and all of the appointments were made on merit.
Talking about the police in the federal capital, he said the Islamabad Police will develop a new anti-riot unit that would be equipped with drones and the latest technology to control protesters in the federal capital.
The cabinet also decided to provide an online visa facility to foreign nationals working on CPEC projects in Pakistan, said the minister and added that the cabinet also waived off fee on Pakistani visas for Afghan nationals coming to Pakistan.
Afghan traders will be added to the business visa list, he said, adding that Pakistan was the “basic source” of business and aid for Afghanistan.
According to Fawad, the government was taking measures to facilitate the Afghan nationals coming to Pakistan so that illegal crossings can be curbed.
He elaborated on yesterday’s cabinet session and said the body also endorsed the Economic Coordination Committee’s decisions.
A demand for Rs2.4 billion for a special economic zone has been deferred.
Fawad further said the government has also provided overseas Pakistanis with the facility to get a power of attorney online. He said earlier, Pakistan nationals had to go to the embassy to get the power of attorney.
Referring to Pemra’s council of complaints, the minister said the body has been revamped and added that three women are also part of the council in the new set-up.
