Khwaja Asif Denies Consultation with Nawaz Sharif

Defence minister Khwaja Asif denies any consultation with Nawaz Sharif on the matter of new army chief’s appointment

Pakistan’s army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is to be retired by Nov 29 and he has denied any extension in his tenure.

He denied his extension when he visited Washington for an event.

The change of army chief has been the talk of the political sphere in Pakistan.

Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf’s leader Imran Khan insists that Prime minister Shahbaz Sharif has involved former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in decision regarding appointment of new army chief.

Prime minister Shahbaz Sharif recently visited London to meet his brother PML-N former leader, Nawaz Sharif. It is speculated that Premier Shahbaz has discussed the matter of army chief appointment with him, and seeks his guidance on this matter.

PTI chairman Imran Khan said,  it is unimaginable that “important decisions are taken abroad by those who have plundered the state wealth for the past 30 years”.

He further added, “This is a violation of the Official Secrets Act. We will consult our lawyers. How can he [Shahbaz] consult with an absconder and a convict regarding such an important decision.”

However, Defence minister Khwaja Asif denied such accusations and said,  “Consultations have not yet taken place on the army chief’s appointment. These are just newspaper reports.”

He further added, “The prime minister has discretion regarding the army chief’s appointment. Therefore, the prime minister will make a decision on the appointment.”