ISLAMABAD: Although Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is consulting his kitchen cabinet and close confidants regarding the appointment of a new army chief and chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, but it is possible that Nawaz may take a surprising decision, sources in the PM’s House told Daily Times.
They also said Nawaz called Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday and inquired about his health. They also discussed the appointments. Nisar suggested Nawaz to follow seniority and merit in this regard.
The PM also discussed the same with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and Senator Mushahidullah Khan. Interestingly, these men were not sure that Nawaz would act upon their advice, sources said.
They also said Nawaz has made his mind and he went through the intelligence reports of the four senior-most generals as well.
Sources said that he could invite the two senior officials for a meeting and would inform them about his decision.
In 2013, Nawaz did not consider senior-most Lieutenant General Haroon Aslam because Aslam was a commando like former president Pervez Musharraf. He appointed the second senior-most Lt General Rashad Mehmood as chairman joint chiefs of staff committee and third senior-most Lt General Raheel Sharif as the army chief.