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Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor appointed DG ISPR
Major General Asif Ghafoor has been appointed as the new director general (DG) for Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
He is presently commanding a division in Swat and will replace Lt Gen Asim Bajwa as DG ISPR. Lt Gen Bajwa was posted as Inspector General Arms at GHQ.
Maj Gen Ghafoor was a part of the artillery regiment. He has a vast experience of operations and has commanded a unit in Operation Al-Mizan. He has also served in military operations directorate and remained involved in finalisation of the National Action Plan (NAP), military sources said.
According to military sources, other postings made today include:
- Major General Abdullah Dogar appointed Commandant Pakistan Military Academy
- Major General Syed Adnan appointed GOC at Lahore.
- Major General Fida Malik appointed DG Logistics at GHQ.
- Major General Zafarullah Khan appointed GOC at Panu Aqil.
- Major General Nadir Khan appointed DG Personnel Services and Provost Marshal(PS&PM) at GHQ.
- Major General Zafar Iqbal appointed GOC armour division at Gujranwala.
The new postings come shortly after the appointment of Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa as army chief. As with each change in command of the country’s powerful army, the obvious question being asked is how and whether the new chief’s appointment and his radically different looking team will translate into policy changes in different areas.
Dawn earlier reported that all discussions with knowledgeable sources suggest no change or, in fact, a toughening of the internal security operations initiated in the country during Gen Kayani’s tenure and carried out with gusto under his successor.
The posting of officers with a track record in internal security and counterterrorism as the CGS and the ISI DG respectively also reinforces this impression. That the prestigious CGS position has gone to one of the most junior lieutenant generals suggests that the chief will take keen interest in these operations and provide proactive guidance and oversight.
It is early to say whether any policy change regarding India will come about apart from perhaps a tighter watch over solo flights by militants, but no army chief can afford to be lax.
The coming weeks will make it clear whether he now has more of a say in such areas.
Explore: Army reshuffle fuels hope of better civil-military ties
Comments (19) Closed
I am hoping that Major General Asif Ghafoor will present the viewpoint of Army as an institution and avoid projecting the COAS individually.
The DG should institutionalize the office of ISPR rather than projecting himself and the COAS. Also he should never issue political statements which is not his job at all. Most importantly, the twitter account of previous DG should either be taken over and it should represent the Institution rather than an individual, or, it should be deleted altogether.
CONGRATULATIONS SIR, I hope YOU take your appointment in the benefit of nation and does not allow media to put your pictures too much on public. we never see pictures of such officials in Indian/US/British armies so publically.
He should continue in the same track AS the previous DG ISPR. We public wants to know the point of view of ISPR on important Security issues, therefore the ispr should continue to be very active..
Congratulations to Major General Ghafoor and others on their new appointment. In today's world social media and communication plays an important role and ISPR is doing a very good job on this account, which is indeed appreciated.
Wish you all the very best in your respective new assignments. God Bless you all and PAKISTAN ARMY ZINDAABAD, PAKISTAN PAEINDABAD
Mr. Bajwa gave ISPR a new direction and having 3 Million followers on twitter. It will be challenging for Mr. Ghafoor. Good Luck Mr. Ghafoor
Totally agree with Imran and Zubaid. Glad we have people like yourself around with rational and beautiful perspective.
Congratulation Maj General Ghafoor.
@imran
but we don't agree with the three of you.
@Fudayl Zubaid Ahmad.....Gen Asif Ghafoor is a brilliant officer as I know him personally and he would give very balanced views on Pakistan and won't be projecting COAS only.....good replacement of outgoing DG ISPR
@Syed Salman Haider Thank you for the re-assurance.Much appreciated.
My ex boss, an excellent and a highly competent officer. I owe him a lot in taking interest in grooming juniors and mentoring them. I am sure that ISPR is in very safe hands. All the best sir. Godspeed
@imran i 100 % agree with all three of you!!! atleast we have people who use their brains more than their hearts!!! hats off
Congratulation. Please confine this mily. office to military matters instead of converting it into a political media cell. The nation has deep respect for the institution and any attempt to policise it or give undue publicity may undermine its sanctity.
Why the PML government is congratulating each other?
Congratulation. we hope new DG would do more better for the Force.
@Nadeem I see it too.
@GAK Wazir : Sane voice!
I understand that ISPR represents the entire armed forces that includes Air Force and Navy. The statements issued by ISPR in the recent past showed greater coverage to core commanders' meetings and the activities of the Army Chief. Coverage to the other two wings of the Armed Forces has been minimal. I hope the new ISPR head will address this and give equal attention to all three Services.