The appointment of next army chief



Saleem Mehdi



Karachi



The incumbent government is quite consistent with regard to the question about the appointment of the next army chief of the country. Recently, defence minister Khawaja Asif reiterated the government’s position by stating that the appointment of the army chief will be completed as per the law and the Constitution, and anyone among the five nominated names can be appointed as the new army chief. According to him, the process for the appointment of new army chief will begin by the end of this month or the beginning of the next and that it will be done in line with the law and the Constitution.



That the incumbent government has been dealing with this subject quite prudently and wisely is a fact. Forming of theories or conjunctures without firm evidence in relation to the appointment of the next army chief can militate against the interests and morale of military. Therefore, there exists no room for speculations in this regard. It is quite unfortunate that we politicise the matter of country’s security institution as one of our favourite pastimes. All of us are required to act responsibly while dealing with any discussion on the appointment or the army chief.