ISLAMABAD: The army on Wednesday announ­ced its first major appointments since the taking over of its command by Gen Qamar Bajwa last week, with the Karachi-based V Corps getting a new chief.

According to an announcement by the ISPR, Lt Gen Shahid Baig Mirza has been posted as the Corps Commander for Karachi. He is presently serving as the Military Secretary at the General Headquarters.

Lt Gen Ghayur Mehmood will replace him in the Military Secretary’s office. Gen Mehmood is serving as the Chief of Logistic Staff at the GHQ.

The posting of the incumbent corps commander for Karachi, Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, has not been announced. He is widely tipped to be the next director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence.

Gen Bajwa has taken considerable time to make key appointments. The delay has led to speculation about the causes.

According to analysts, it is unusual for the army to remain without a chief of general staff (CGS), who is the operations and intelligence lead in the military, for 10 days, particularly at a time when troops are virtually in a state of war on both the eastern and western borders. The position of CGS fell vacant after Gen Zubair Hayat was elevated as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee.

Similarly, the position held by Gen Bajwa before his appointment as the army chief — inspector general for training and evaluation — is lying vacant. There are at least two other staff positions at the GHQ that are also awaiting postings.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2016