Sharif brothers discuss next army chief

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has met elder brother and former PM Nawaz Sharif in London to discuss who will be the next army chief -- the country’s most important appointment -- as incumbent Qamar Javed Bajwa is due to retire on November 29.

The talks take place at a time the country has been wracked by deep economic and political crises. “The two brothers have met and discussed several issues, including appointment of the next army chief. Everything will be clear in the next few days,” said defence minister Khwaja Asif, who is accompanying PM Shehbaz.

Opposition leader and former PM Imran Khan lashed out at the Sharifs, saying Shehbaz had flown to London to meet a “lying absconder” (Nawaz) to discuss appointment to the “the most important position in Pakistan”.

“Prosperous countries have strong institutions. What they (Sharif brothers) are doing in London is dramatics,” Imran said, claiming Nawaz had never looked at merit when making appointments. Imran claimed that “deals” were being made in the country (by the military establishment) with powerful criminals, adding that “no nation could progress without ensuring rule of law”.

Asif hit back at Imran, accusing him of trying to influence the appointment of the military chief and making it controversial. Imran has, however, lately softened his earlier stance that Shehbaz should not appoint Bajwa’s successor.

Bajwa was made army chief in 2016 by then PM Nawaz. Originally scheduled to retire in 2019, Bajwa got a three-year extension that year from erstwhile PM Imran.

In recent days, Imran has accused PM Shehbaz, interior minister Rana Sanaullah and ISI official Major General Faisal Naseer of hatching a plot to kill him after he was shot at during his long march to Islamabad last week. The government and the army have denied the charges.

Imran’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) resumed its march Thursday to demand snap polls after a weeklong break due to the assassination attempt. Imran is expected to join the march in garrison city Rawalpindi, possibly during the days close to Gen Bajwa’s departure.

Bajwa has, on the other hand, been busy with farewell tours to various cantonments. “No matter what the circumstances are, you must serve the nation with the same zeal and commitment,” the army quoted Bajwa as urging troops at garrisons in Sialkot and Mangla recently.