-Defence Minister says new Army Chief not decided in Nawaz-Shehbaz’s London seating
-Predicts final decision could be made in two-three days
-Summary regarding appointment of new Army Chief likely to be moved next week
DM Monitoring
LONDON: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Thursday that no name for the new Army Chief was finalized in the Prime Minister’s meet-up with PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif in London.
According to details, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif discussed the appointment of the new Army Chief in their meeting in London Friday. However no name was finalized for the position, the Defence Minister said.
The Defence Minister added that the final decision could be made in the next two-three days. The government would not surrender before pressure groups on the important appointment, he added.
Talking about the ISPR’s statement about the Army Chief’s farewell meetings, the Defence Minister said that the meetings did not start Friday but have been going on for three-four days.
The meeting of PML-N central leadership continued for approximately 3.5 hours and was also attended by Maryam Nawaz, Khawaja Asif, Malik Muhammad Khan, Suleman Shehbaz and Hussain Nawaz.
After concluding the consultation session with Nawaz Sharif, PM Shehbaz left the PML-N leader’s residence in London.
PM Shehbaz Sharif did not interact with the journalists who were waiting for a post-meeting briefing. When questioned about the latest revelations about the slain senior journalist Arshad Sharif, Maryam Nawaz expressed sorrow. In a short discussion with the journalists, the PML-N supremo confirmed possessing a diplomatic passport for a long time.
In an earlier report, a local newspaper claimed Prime Minister Shehbaz and Nawaz Sharif have decided in a meeting held in London regarding the appointment of the new Army Chief and the summary is likely to be sent next week.
During the meeting, it was decided that the Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan this year. It was also decided in the meeting that the government won’t be pressurized by the long march and the marchers will be dealt with according to law.
Sources further said that PM Shehbaz will make important appointments in the stipulated time and will meet coalition partners after returning to the country next week.
