Although entirely ceremonial, the move paves the way for an orderly transition of military command, ending a period of heightened political tensions in the country.
By Naveed Naqvi
ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi gave his formal approval Thursday evening to the choices Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced earlier in the day for appointment as the next Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).
Prime Minster Sharif decided to appoint Lt-Gen Asim Munir as new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Lt-Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).
His office then sent the summary for the president’s formal seal of approval. The development left a section of the media and the society jittery given the acrimonious relations the government has with Alvi’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its leader former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The social media was rife with speculation as to whether the President will sign the summary or drag his feet over the matter, and as to what will happen if he chooses the latter course.
The President’s office is ceremonial under the Constitution and has no real authority. The incumbent serves as a figurehead, following the Prime Ministers lead in all matters of the state.
The ceremony, nevertheless, allows the President to hold his approval to a summary or to return it for reconsideration of the Prime Minister. In the politically charged atmosphere of the country, there were fears that such a delay could wreak havoc on the country’s beleaguered economy.
That potential catastrophe has now been averted by the President’s move to quickly get the matter out of the way by signing the summary for the appointments at the first opportunity.
The President nevertheless seems to have made one last attempt to rekindle the sagging political fortunes of his political benefactor Imran Khan, who nominated him to the presidency: Before signing the summary, Alvi made a day trip to Lahore, where he held a meeting with Khan at his Zaman Park residence.
The meeting lasted for about 45 minutes, and focused on “constitutional, political and legal issues related to important appointments”. Khan has been quoted at saying on the occasion, “We have to abide by the constitution and the law, there is no war with any institution”.
The PTI chief also had a telephone conversation with Chief Minister Pervez Elahi, discussed the current situation, and consulted senior party leadership in an important meeting.
Khan had earlier threatened he will now allow “thieves and dacoits” to appoint the next army chief. He, however, later stood down and said he had no business interfering with the matter.
In the last 48 hours, however, he switched gears again and said President Alvi would consult him before signing the summary, the suggestion being he will have a veto over who becomes the next army chief.
Under the circumstances, Alvi’s trip to Lahore before signing the summary seems to be a carefully orchestrated PR exercise to allow Khan to declare victory and leave behind the long and disastrous political adventure he has been on ever since his ouster from power this April.
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