• “Entire Pakistan is awaiting who will become the new army chief,” says Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. 
• It would not be appropriate if the name of an incompetent person is included in the summary of the army chief candidates, he says.
• The defence ministry will receive a list of the senior officers from the GHQ by tomorrow, says Khawaja Asif.  

ISLAMABAD: Expressing his concerns over delay in appointing the new army chief, PML-N senior leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday warned that reluctance in sending a much-anticipated summary for the coveted post is a “violation of the constitution”.

Speaking to a private TV channel, the former prime minister stressed the concerned authorities to send the summary at the earliest so that the prime minister could decide on it swiftly.

“Entire Pakistan is awaiting who will become the new army chief,” he added.

It would not be appropriate if the name of an incompetent person is included in the summary of the army chief candidates, he said, adding that in such case, the matter could be challenged in court.

It is pertinent to mention here that the formal process for appointing a new army chief starts with the General Headquarters sending a list of the senior-most generals to the prime minister via the defence ministry.

‘Nominating candidates for COAS’ slot GHQ’s prerogative’

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that nominating candidates for the post of army chief is the prerogative of the General Headquarters (GHQ).

Talking to Geo News, Khawaja Asif said that the defence ministry will receive a list of the senior officers from the GHQ by tomorrow. After receiving the list, the defence ministry would move the summary for the appointment of the next army chief to the prime minister.

Rejecting the rumors, the minister said that there is no civil-military tension over the matter. 

“COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa respects Nawaz Sharif,” he added.