Army gets new CGS in major command reshuffle

The move comes as part of high-level appointments and transfers in the Pakistan Army started by the new army chief Gen Asim Munir.

By Naveed Naqvi

ISLAMABAD: The customary reshuffle of the army command that follows the change of command at the top came in full view Friday as the military announced a number of new postings to key positions.

As part of the reshuffle ordered by the new Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir, Lt-Gen Muhammad Saeed has been appointed as the new Chief of General Staff (CGS), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

He will relinquish the command of the V Corps to assume his new appointment, vacated by Lt-Gen Azhar Abbas, who reportedly sought premature retirement after Lt- Gen Asim Munir became the new Army Chief.

Lt-Gen Babar Iftikhar has been ordered to take over as the new Commander V Corps. His departure from the ISPR will make way for the new Director General, Maj-Gen Ahmad Sharif, currently serving as DG DESTO.

According to ISPR, Lt Gen Muhammad Ali has been posted as Quartermaster General of Army Strategic Force Central, while Lt Gen Saqib has been transferred as Commander Logistics Support and posted as Corps Commander Bahawalpur.

According to the spokesperson of Pakistan Army, Lt-Gen Nauman Zakaria will now take over the responsibilities of Commander Logistics Support instead of Vice Chief of General Staff (VCGSA), while Lt-Gen-Shahbaz has been posted as GOC X Division.

Former DG ISI and Corps Commander Bahawalpur Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed’s request for early retirement has reportedly also been approved. His regular retirement was due on April 30, 2023.