Top Pakistani General Seeks Early Retirement Following Gen. Munir’s Selection As Army Chief
One of the six candidates for the position of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azhar Abbas of the Pakistani Army, has reportedly opted to seek early retirement, according to a prominent Pakistani news outlet that cited a family source.
This week, Lt Gen Abbas was reportedly among the six top lieutenant generals under consideration for the positions of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, according to Pakistani media.
Lt Gen Asim Munir, Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Lt Gen Azhar Abbas, Lt Gen Nauman Mehmood, Lt Gen Faiz Hamid, and Lt Gen Mohammad Amir were also mentioned on the list.
This development follows the 24 November appointments of Gen. Asim Munir as the new COAS and Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the CJCSC by the Pakistani government.
After November 27, Lt Gen Azhar Abbas was slated to surpass current COAS Qamar Javed Bajwa in seniority within the armed forces of the nation.
Formerly serving as Gen Raheel Sharif’s personal secretary, Lt Gen Abbas was commissioned by the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in 1987 into the 41 Baloch Regiment.
Lt Gen Abbas also oversaw 12 Division Murree during his service. Before taking over as CGS, he served as Commander of the 10 Corps and Commandant of the Infantry School at Quetta.
The Army Chief job holds the most clout in the coup-prone nation of Pakistan, where the military has significant influence over national security and foreign policy.
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence are two extremely potent intelligence services, and General Asim Munir will be the first army leader to have led both of them (MI).
The COAS holds the key powers, such as mobilizing troops, making appointments, and transferring personnel, making him or her the most powerful person in the military. The CJCSC is the highest authority in the armed forces hierarchy.
In terms of security and foreign policy, Pakistan’s powerful Army, which has ruled the country for more than half of its more than 75-year existence, has traditionally held significant sway.
The appointment takes place in the midst of a conflict between the military and Khan, who accuses them of aiding in his ouster in April of this year via a no-confidence vote.
News Mania Desk
