ISLAMABAD, Sept 20: Vice Chief of General Staff Maj Gen Mazhar Jamil was on Friday promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.

Gen Mazhar’s elevation ahead of the upcoming change in the army’s command with impending retirement of Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has renewed speculations that Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Rashad Mehmood could be the next chief.

Speculations about who could succeed Gen Kayani have been floating around for the past few months. Gen Kayani retires in November after remaining in office for six years.

Gen Mazhar has earlier served as commandant Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul. He has also commanded a formation in Lahore.

Currently, the only vacant slot for a lieutenant general is that of Inspector General Arms at the General Headquarters.

Meanwhile, Maj Gen Khalid Asghar from Corps of Engineers, presently posted as director general C&IT at GHQ, has also been promoted as a lieutenant general.—Staff Reporter