In a statement issued on Wednesday, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry stated that the process of consultation between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa over the appointment of the new DG ISI “has been completed,” and that the process of making a new appointment “is underway.”
Chaudhry’s clarification on the topic came a day after his post-cabinet meeting press conference, during which he stated that “legal procedure” would be followed in the nomination of the next Director-General of the ISI, “with which both [Gen Bajwa and Prime Minister Imran] are in accord.”
When the media inquired as to what had compelled the information minister to state that the government would appoint the DG ISI following the Constitution and the law, he responded that “confusion created by the media, particularly social media, had forced him to respond on the subject. His previous remark had stated: I am unable to speak further on the matter; please rely on my press conference.
In a tweet sent out today, the Minister of Information stated. On the appointment of a new DG ISI, the consultations between the prime minister and the chief of army staff have concluded, and the process for a new appointment has begun. For the second time in a row, the civil-military leadership has demonstrated that all institutions are working together for the country’s stability, integrity, and advancement.
According to Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa have “perfect” civil-military ties and never take any actions that might “undermine” each other’s respect for one another.
Amir Dogar, the PTI’s Chief Whip in the National Assembly, had stated the day before that Prime Minister Imran Khan wanted Lt Gen Faiz Hameed to continue in his position as DG ISI. “The prime minister requested that Lt Gen Faiz Hameed continue to stay for a few more months,” Dogar, who also serves as the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, had stated in an interview with a private television station earlier this year.
Despite the passage of time following the press release by ISPR, no official confirmation of Lieutenant General Anjum’s appointment as the new DG ISI was issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, resulting in wild speculation in the federal capital. Until now, the administration has been deafeningly silent on the subject.
Earlier, Chaudhry said that Prime Minister Imran and the army commander had a “long sitting” last night to discuss the situation, adding that Imran had taken the cabinet into confidence on the subject after the meeting.
Referring to rumors circulating about the matter, Chaudhry said: “I see on social media, there are many who have wished; I want to tell them that the Prime Minister’s Office will never undermine the respect of the Pakistan Army and army chief. And the COAS and the army will never take any step that will undermine the respect of Pakistan’s prime minister or civil setup.”
Chaudhry also appreciated the media for not “sensationalizing” the matter of the DG ISI’s appointment.
The rumors of a rift between PM and military were spread on social media over the DG ISI issue. Now, these statements have cleared the issue. This also shows how some people are in a chance to make propaganda against PM Imran Khan. But somehow the govt. has managed to clear it out.it is now proved either General Faiz Hameed or General Bajwa, Imran Khan relations are much better with the army than any other government.
Author is a Lahore College for Women University graduate. She writes with zeal and believes that there is nothing greater than words to express herself.