Appointment of (COAS)Chief of Army Staff|controversial topic(2022)|Pakistan|Sania Akhtar

#Appointment of (COAS)Chief of Army Staff

#controversial topic(2022)

#Pakistan

#Sania Akhtar

The Chief of Army Staff is the most senior officer in the armed forces of Pakistan. He is usually a member of the Joint Chief of Staff Committee in a separate capacity and also led by Four-Stars. 

His position is so powerful that he had been imposed Martial Law against the civilian government in the history of Pakistan. 

The Chief of Army Staff is based in GHQ (General Headquarter). General Qamar Javed Bajwa (current COAS) has been serving in this capacity since 29 November 2016. 

Appointment Method: 

COAS is appointed by constitutional method. According to Article 234(3) Schedule 5-A, General Headquarter send a list of five or six most senior Lieutenant General to the defense ministry. 

The Defense ministry acts as a post office, presenting the name of army generals to the Prime minister. Then, the prime minister discusses this with his advisors or even with his cabinet. At the end, President elects the general officer on the recommendation of PM. 

Tenure: 3 years and also provide an extension tenure. 

History shows that 10 out of 5 army chiefs were appointed by Nawaz Sharif (Former PM) since 1972 and criticized for appointing army chiefs as “Apna Banda". But none of the appointment work was not in his Favour. 

General Qamar Bajwa: 

COAS Qamar Javaid will complete his extended tenure on 29 November. He was appointed by Nawaz Sharif in 2016. Imran Khan (former PM) had been given an additional three-year term to Qamar Javid Bajwa that will be ended in this year. Bajwa was also offered for an additional extended term. But Inter Service Public relations has
confirmed that the chief is retiring. 

PM Shehbaz Sharif discussion in London: 

PM Shehbaz Sharif had held a discussion meeting with the PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif about the appointment of next COAS. 

The Plaining Miniter Ahsan Iqbal said: 

“The PM will announce the army chief appointment in time on merit base after return from London.” 

Stance of PTI:

 

Chaiman of PTI and Former PM Imran khan said: 

“The next army chief should be appointed on merit basis, but this coalition government would violate merit. Nawaz sharif would not let it happen because he wants to control the institutions to save his Looted wealth.” 

Defensive statement from PMLN: 

Defense minister Khwaja Asif said: 

“The appointment of COAS is a routine affair, but it was for the first time in history Pakistan that PTI Chairman was rising ‘Hue and Cry’ over the issue.” 

He added; 

“The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf and Imran Niazi Khan want institutions to intervene. Imran proposed the appointment until after the general election and grant extension (to Bajwa).” 

PPP’s view: 

In a TV interview Qamar Zaman Kaira said: 

“The government will appoint the next army chief from among the top five-senior generals.” 

He added: 

“Person against whom khan has reservations was the same man for whom he spent four years in power” 

Conclusion: 

The list of Lt. Generals is as follow; 

Lt-Gen Asim Munir, Lt-Gen Shamshad Mirza, Lt-Gen Azar Abbas, Lt-Gen Nauman Mehmood, Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed and Lt- Gen Muhammad Amir. 

PM after return from London will passed his recommended member from above mentioned list to President before 29 November 2022.

#(Appointment of (COAS)Chief of Army Staff|controversial topic(2022)|Pakistan|Sania Akhtar)

Written by Sania Akhtar