LONDON: Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif on Wednesday revealed the possibility of the general election in Pakistan being held in November, prior to the appointment of the new army chief.<\/p>\n
In an interview with an international media network, the defence minister said that there is a possibility that the caretaker government might leave before November and a new government will come into power.<\/p>\n
Regarding the extension of Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, he said that the army chief had announced that he wasn\u2019t seeking an extension in his tenure.<\/p>\n
\u201cI welcome his decision as it has closed the door on speculations,\u201d he said, adding that the former army chief General (retd) Raheel Sharif, too, had never “directly or indirectly demanded an extension”.<\/p>\n
Gen Bajwa will remain in office till November 2022, after his three-year tenure was extended in 2019.<\/p>\n
‘Process of army chief’s appointment should be institutionalised’
\nAsif further mentioned that if Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed\u2019s name would be on the seniority list, the coalition government will consider him for the post. \u201cAll names present on the seniority list will be considered,\u201d he asserted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a sanctity of the army and should not be a topic of discussion in the public domain,\u201d he said, adding that the process of appointment of the army chief should now be \u201cinstitutionalised\u201d just how it happens in the judiciary.<\/p>\n
Referring to the political upheaval last month in the wake of the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan and the Supreme Court\u2019s verdict, the defence minister said: \u201cWhat happened last month gave us [the coalition government] the opportunity to start afresh\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that the process of [the] army chief\u2019s appointment should 100% be based on merit. Moreover, it is an important issue and should not be the subject of political debate,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
‘Popular leader’<\/strong> Asif further added that his government was not toppled to stop his interference in the process of appointing the new army chief.<\/p>\n The defence minister maintained that it is the discretion of the prime minister to select one of the names sent by the army. The PML-N leader admitted that Khan is a \u201cpopular leader\u201d but he has failed to deliver.<\/p>\n \u201cHe [Imran Khan] is hiding his failures behind two or three statements. Khan is playing the religion card and retreating from the anti-US narrative,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n ‘Imran experiment harmed country’<\/strong> Asif further added that the establishment thought he [Imran Khan] is new to politics and will bring \u201cfreshness\u201d to the politics of Pakistan.<\/p>\n He, however, added that this experiment harmed the country.<\/p>\n Asif terms Imran Khan\u2019s anti-establishment statement ‘shameful’ Terming Imran Khan\u2019s anti-establishment statement \u201cshameful\u201d, Asif said: \u201cHe wants to stay in power and for institutions to provide him with crutches.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor the last four years, everything has been revolving around one person.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nIn a bid to protect his political interests and the continuation of his rule over the country, former prime minister Imran Khan wanted to bring an army chief of his choice.<\/p>\n
\nThe PML-N leader further added that Imran Khan was brought to power by the establishment as an alternative to traditional politicians. \u201cIn order to be comfortable, the establishment supported Imran [Khan],\u201d he said, adding that the \u201clove for a traditional politician sometimes grows and sometimes it is the other way around\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nTaking a jibe at the PTI chairman\u2019s statement regarding institutes becoming neutral, the defence minister said: \u201cNow, it does not suit Imran Khan to make institutions neutral.\u201d<\/p>\n