Govt likely to announce new army chief’s name within next 10 days

The federal government is likely to make the appointment of the new Chief of the army staff in a week or 10 days time.

State Minister for Capital Administration Tariq Fazl Chaudhry revealed that the name of the army chief has not been finalised yet, however; it is likely to make the appointment in a week or so.

“The government has not yet decided [as to who will be the new army chief] but is likely to announce his name in a week or ten days’ time,” said Chaudhry said in response to a question asked during a news conference which he addressed together with PML-N leader Daniyal Aziz.

Army chief General Raheel Sharif is set to retire in November this year and has announced not to seek an extension in his tenure.

Read more: IHC dismisses petition to elevate Army Chief Raheel Sharif to field marshal

The PML-N leaders criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, who, they claimed, spoke against Pakistan Army in connection with the ongoing military operation in tribal areas during his foreign trips.

They also alleged that Imran Khan received funds from the United States and the Indian lobby for staging his 2014-marathon sit-in in Islamabad.

This time around, Imran has sought help from militant groups to make his upcoming protest in Islamabad a success, they claimed.

The PTI has announced plans to paralyse the federal capital on November 2 in a bid to force Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to present himself for accountability in the wake of the Panama Papers.