ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League Quaid e Azam (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has urged Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to obey the Constitution and not to pay attention to anyone else when choosing the next army chief.
Shujaat also reiterated his resolve to stand by the government in all difficult circumstances and agreed that all the ruling coalition parties would continue to collectively strive for the public welfare. In a meeting held between Shujaat and the premier Shahbaz accompanied by key federal ministers to address important matters of national concern, political situation and the financial crisis, Shujaat reportedly told the premier to obey the rules and not listen to anyone while choosing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s replacement, stating that “this is a sensitive topic and a national obligation.” In response, Premier said that this will take place exactly as per constitution.
After serving for an extended period of time, Army Commander Gen Bajwa will retire next month (November). The leader of the PTI has demanded that the current administration has not the mandate to appoint the new army chief and instead refer the issue to the next administration. The ruling alliance named as Pakistan Democratic Movement has made it clear that it is prerogative of premier Shahbaz and he will make the decision when the time comes, advising the Opposition to avoid politicizing this delicate issue.
