Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday revealed in the National Assembly that the government is considering five, and not four, names for the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
He confirmed that the fifth name is of Lieutenant General Ikramul Haq among the list of candidates.
Earlier, four names were being thought upon to lead the military after General Raheel Sharif, who retires on Nov 29 after his three-year tenure as the Chief of the Army Staff.
The other four Lieutenant Generals are Lt-Gen Zubair Hayat, Chief of General Staff, Lt-Gen Ishfaq Nadeem, Commander-II Corps Multan, Lt-Gen Javaid Iqbal Ramday Commander-XXXI Corps Bahawalpur and Lt-Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Inspector General Training and Evaluation.
General Ikramul Haq is 10th on the seniority after General Raheel Sharif.
General Sharif has held farewell meetings with senior military officials ahead of his retirement.
The Ministry of Defence has sent a summary to the Prime Minister for the appointment of the new military chief and Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee (CJCSC).
The outgoing CJCSC, General Rashad Mahmood is retiring today (Nov 26).
