Process for appointment of next army chief not yet initiated, says Asif

KARACHI: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday said the process of appointment of the next army chief has not been initiated so far.

The defence minister made the statement while speaking to the anchorperson on Geo News' program 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath'.

Asked whether Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif conveyed him as to who can be his choice for the powerful post, Asif chuckled, saying that even if the PM had informed him, he would not comment on this on TV, nor even whisper it to the anchorperson.

However, moments later the minister replied in a serious tone, "The process for appointment of the next army chief has not been initiated."

When questioned if the sitting chief was to be given extension, he said there was still a month in the retirement of the incumbent Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

"The decision, whether to name an official as the next army chief or to give extension to the incumbent COAS, will be made when the time comes," he said.