ISLAMABAD: The process of appointment of the new Chief of Air Staff has commenced and the Ministry of Defense will forward a summary containing names of four senior Pakistan Air Force (PAF) officers to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi next week.
Sources in the Ministry of Defense said that serving Chief of Air Staff Sohail Aman would retire on March 18. He was appointed as air chief on March 18, 2015, by the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The Ministry of Defense had prepared a summary which would be forwarded to the prime minister early next week for approval. President Mamnoon Hussain would appoint the new air chief on the advice of the premier. Following the passage of the 18th constitutional amendment, the prime minister had been given the powers to select all the services chiefs.
The sources further said that the senior most officer was Vice Chief of Air Staff Farooq Habib. He was followed by Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Support) Mujahid Anwar. The other two officers included in the seniority list were Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Personnel) Arshad Mehmood and Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Administration) Asim Zamir. All these four principal staff officers have also worked on other important posts in PAF in the past.
“If the prime minister keeps the seniority of officers in view, then Air Marshal Farooq Habib will be the most suitable candidate for the prestigious position. Whereas, Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar is also a strong contender for the coveted post,” the sources added.
All good candidates but professionally, operational experience wise and ethically Mujahid may pip the current vice chief.
Comments are closed.