Army appointments to be finalised by tomorrow: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD, Nov 23 (NNI): Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Wednesday that legal process on the summary [for the appointment of army chief and chairman JCSC] was underway and it might take one or two days.
The defence minister was talking to the media informally outside the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad after holding a meeting with PM Shehbaz Sharif.
“Will the senior most be appointed [as army chief] on merit?” a journalist asked a question from the defence minister. “I do not know. The names will be finalised by tomorrow. The government’s allies and the cabinet will also be taken into confidence on tomorrow’s decision,” Khawaja Asif replied.
“Is the method of appointment mentioned in Article 243?” the journalist asked another question. “I do not know about so many articles. You must have read them. Be it the president or the prime minister, decisions should be made under the Constitution in the national interest,” Khawaja Asif replied.
“There is no truth in the news about the first summary. Media should not represent political factions,” he added.
Earlier, the defence minister arrived at the Prime Minister’s House and held an important meeting with the prime minister. Consultation regarding important appointments held during the meeting.
In a tweet earlier, Khwaja Asif confirmed that the summary regarding top military appointments has been received by the Prime Minister Office. The minister informed: “The summary was received from the Ministry of Defence in the Prime Minister’s Office. Insha’Allah, the rest of the process will be completed soon.”
An hour before Kh Asif’s tweet, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general also tweeted that the summary for selection of CJCSC and COAS, containing names of six senior most Lt Generals has been forwarded to the Ministry of Defence ending the confusion surrounding the summary sent by the General Headquarters for the top military appointments.  NNI