Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif  is likely to name new army chief on Thursday (November 28).

Islamabad, Nov 27/Nationalturk – Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has not had good relationship with the army chiefs he picked during his past tenures, is likely to name new army chief on Thursday (November 28) as the term of country’s present army chief General Ashfaq Parvaiz Kayani ends on Friday.

General Ashfaq Parvaiz Kayani will be stepping down on November 29 after remaining in the hot seat for six years. Kayani has already made it clear that he won’t seek extension and will step down and retire from the services on November 29, 2013.

Media reports said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is all set to make the much-awaited decision tomorrow.

The names of top Generals, who are likely to succeed Kayani, are being discussed in the political circles and in the corridors of power here.

Lt Gen Haroon among 5 contenders for the coveted post

A number of names including Lt Gen Haroon Aslam, Chief of Logistics Staff figure in the list. He will be the senior most General when Kayani steps down.  He has lead the successful anti-militancy operation in the Swat in 2009 and is due to retire on April 9 next year.

The other two contenders based on seniority are Lt Gen Rashid Mehmood, Chief of General Staff and Lt Gen Raheel Sharif.  Lt General Tariq Khan, Commander of 1 Strike Corps at Mangla and ISI chief Lt Gen Zaheer-ul Islam are also in the race for coveted post.

“Government and military sources suggest that, barring last-minute changes, Lt-Gen Rashad Mahmood is all but certain to become the country’s next army chief. Similarly, Lt Gen Haroon Aslam is expected to assume the role of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC),” Pakistan newspaper, Express Tribune reported.

A retired military officer was quoted as saying that Kayani has proposed the names of Lt Gen Rashad as his successor and Lt Gen Aslam as CJCSC. “It is now up to the prime minister whether to accepts Kayani’s suggestion or not,” he said.

PM meets two generals

According to Pakistan TV news channel Geo New, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held separate meetings with Lt General Rashid Mahmood and Lt Gen Raheel Sharif early this morning.

Sources said matters relating to the security of the country and professional affairs were discussed in the meetings.

They said the meetings assume significance as PM has to name new army chief in a day.

Legal experts said Pakistan’s PM has the power to nominate the senior most or a junior lieutenant general as the military chief. Its decision to pick up a junior may be disputed by some on different grounds but there is no prohibition for the prime minister as per the law and Constitution.

Sharif as prime minister had chosen Pervez Musharraf, superseding his two seniors, and he overthrew him in a bloodless coup on October 12, 1999.

Top government sources said government would formally make the announcement of the new army chief on Thursday.

“Once the announcement is made, the new army chief will take charge of his new position after handover ceremony at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi,” they said.

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News