ISLAMABAD: In a major development, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif lauded President DrArif Alvi’s role in the much-anticipated appointment of the next army chieftoday.
Speaking on Geo News programme Capital Talk, Asif said that the president showed great political wisdom today.
He maintained that they should move towards economic recovery during the rest of the tenure of the incumbent government.
Responding to a question, the defence minister said that when the president will perform as a PTI worker, "they will criticise him but when he performs as president or supreme commander of the armed forces, they will appreciate him".
Earlier, Asif told reporters President Alvi signed off on the government's nomination on Thursday evening, ending months of speculation over the role.
"It is a good sign that a matter that has caused uncertainty in Pakistan has settled amicably," he said.
Earlier today, uncertainty surrounding key appointments in the military ended after President Alvi approved the appointment of Lieutenant General Asim Munir as the next chief of army staff and Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee (CJCSC).
"President Dr Arif Alvi has promoted Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza HI(M) to the rank of General with immediate effect and appointed him as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee with effect from 27th November 2022. The President promoted Lieutenant General Syed Asim Munir HI(M) to the rank of General with immediate effect and appointed him as Chief of Army Staff with effect from 29th November 2022," said a statement issued by the President's Secretariat.
It added that the promotions and appointments have been made under article 243(4) (a) and (b) and Article 48(1) of the Constitution of Pakistan. Both articles are to be read with Sections 8-A and 8-D of the Pakistan Army Act 1952.
In this regard, the President has signed the summary received in his office, today.
Both — Gen Munir and General Mirza — met PM Shehbaz and President Alvi, separately, after the confirmation of their appointment as the new chief of army staff and joint chief of staff committee.