Source: Daily Time
Next 3 to 4 weeks are going to be very significant in Pakistani politics with India along the LOC,Imran Khan in Islamabad and Nawaz-led government seem to be between the devil and the deep blue sea. These might not be a bigger reason to worry for Sharif but a Sharif, the most powerful man in Pakistan. Change of guard in Pakistan hasusually not been an easy and smooth exercise until the guard himself choses to say goodbye.
The 29th of this November will be a‘magical date’ when Gen Raheel Sharif‘s tenure as 15th chief of Army staff of Pakistan ends. Like his predecessor Gen (r) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani – who spent two terms in the office, extension in the service of Gen Raheel is also being debated a lot. In the Pakistani constitution, the process of the appointment of COAS has notbeen much specified in written; it only states its as purgative of Prime Minister, an office currently held by Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. The PM office seeks a list of senior generals from the Army from the Ministry of Defence. The PM then discusses the profile of each candidate with his senior aides and also seeks the opinion of intelligence agencies for the purpose. The PM also has the privilege of seekingan opinion from the departing COAS in this regard. Although Gen Sharif has already announced that he would not seekthe extension, speculations would continue to emerge until his successor is named officially by the PMO.
First of all, we need to see who is in the race forthe top slot in the Pakistani military. In the seniority list, Lt General Zubair Mahmood Hayat is on top; he is quite eligible for the slot. Currently, he is chief of general staff at the GHQ.He is scheduled to retire on 13th January, 2017. His portfolio is considered very important and is well respected in the Pakistan Army. He has served as the DG of the Strategic Plans Division which is mainly responsible for guarding the country’s nukes. He has also served as corps commander Bahawalpur. Although Gen Zubair is well fit for the COAS slot, he might be more suitable for the office of Joints Chief of Staff (JCS) because of his previous assignment at the SPD.