In response to President Arif Alvi’s remarks on the appointment of the next chief of army staff, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar warned him on Tuesday not to play politics.
In an interview with a news channel, President Alvi stated that he would approve the appointment of the next COAS in accordance with the procedure outlined in the Constitution. He claimed that the opposition was also consulted on the appointment of the army chief in the past.
“The president has no role in the appointment of the army chief under the Pakistani Constitution,” Tarar said.
According to the minister, President Alvi is politicising the matter to serve interests that are contrary to the president’s constitutional role.
Tarar clarified that the prime minister has the authority to appoint the army chief.
While speaking to a private news channel, the minister was responding to the president’s statements.
President Alvi stated in his speech that when PTI chief Imran Khan extended General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s three-year term in 2019, he met with the then-opposition, now government.
According to him, the National Assembly approved a law in 2019 to extend General Bajwa’s terms after the Supreme Court of Pakistan raised concerns. Alvi has consistently supported the idea of a grand dialogue between political parties, believing that issues can be resolved through dialogue.
