PM Shehbaz to consult with Nawaz, others on army chief pick, but final call is his: Dastgir
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Power Minister Khurram Dastgir on Saturday said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would consult PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his confidants for the appointment of the next army chief — but the final decision would be his.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa is set to retire in the last week of November. The matter of the new chief’s selection has since caused a stir in political circles with the PTI and government coming to verbal blows on the matter.
Questioned over the matter being made “controversial” by politicians during a press conference in Gujranwala, Dastgir said: “There is only one thing fully clear in all this fog. This decision is of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and he will make the final judgement. He will consult his confidants and Nawaz Sharif, but he has to make the decision.”
He said that anyone holding urgent meetings with someone did not matter since according to the Constitution, the matter was at the prime minister’s discretion and it was his decision to make.
It must be mentioned that PM Shehbaz departed for London earlier today to represent Pakistan at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral on September 19. He will then proceed towards New York where he will attend the United Nations General Assembly.
On PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Dastgir said that if he claimed himself to be a representative of the people, he should visit flood affectees in Sindh and engage with them about their concerns.
Regarding high electricity prices, the minister said that fuel adjustment charges would see a great reduction from October onward and electricity bills would begin to reflect that. “By December there will be a great decrease [in power bills],” he added.
The power minister also briefed the media regarding his visit to Sindh’s Dadu to survey power operations amid the current flooding situation and measures taken to avoid any breakdown in power generation due to flood waters.
He said the unavailability of electricity was now limited only due to a few tehsils in Sindh because of stagnant flood water.
Responding to reports of changes in net metering, he clarified that there was no such thing on the cards right now and no changes were being made for domestic solar energy users.
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Comments (57) Closed
Sep 17, 2022 10:12pm
Consultation with friends , seniors and colleagues is the best way to reach a decision.
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Sep 17, 2022 10:13pm
Mr Absconder and others like Mr Modi will now decide !
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Sep 17, 2022 10:22pm
An absconder and looter will choose the COAS!!! In what capacity? He has no official or legal role in the government. Wow, what a banana republic Pakistan has become.
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Sep 17, 2022 10:29pm
By the way who is Nawaz sharif? V know one convicted, cheater, lier nd absconding enjoying in London on Pakistanis looted money.
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Sep 17, 2022 10:35pm
That’s what the country needed. Absconder and his accomplice to decide on Army chief. Amazing!!!
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Sep 17, 2022 10:37pm
Sure, very believable, NOT!!
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Sep 17, 2022 10:44pm
Why the runaway convicted has any say in this? Is the PM so incompetent?
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Sep 17, 2022 10:45pm
A convicted criminal and an absconder will decide who will be the Army Chief of a nuclear power; what a shame.
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Sep 17, 2022 10:46pm
Diesel zindabad
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Sep 17, 2022 10:47pm
Joke of the century.
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Sep 17, 2022 10:53pm
Mashallah now a convicted criminal is going to decide.
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Sep 17, 2022 10:55pm
What has NS got to do with it?
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Sep 17, 2022 10:55pm
How many countries in the world go thru this process..why are we so unique ..why chief of army staff more important than the our political supremos ..From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots...who is who only heaven knows ..
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Sep 17, 2022 11:00pm
Imran Khan has made everything controversial... This should be left to the Army and the Prime minister to decide who's best... They're all good picks it's not like the other ones are not good.
This is why I stopped supporting him around Khan.... He's just an agitator.
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Sep 17, 2022 11:16pm
Consult an absconder on bail?
Marvellous!
Only in Pakistan.
These thugs have not a shred of shame!
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Sep 17, 2022 11:21pm
We are tired of having two prime ministers Most decisions are now made in London
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Sep 18, 2022 12:00am
PDM and their ministers have been trained to lie and not to rule the country. Times have changed and now they cannot fool the masses, who have been injured by the poverty beyond repair.
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Sep 18, 2022 12:13am
How can criminals be allowed to make any government appointments? The saddest fact is that it is the Defenders who are playing games against the national interests and security
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Sep 18, 2022 12:20am
they are all criminals and power hungry goons. Them AND their sons and cousins etc. The Lot.
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Sep 18, 2022 12:26am
And then they say IK makes the COAS appointment controversial… When you have a convicted criminal in london opining on who should be army chief - that’s when COAS appointment becomes controversial - media is quiet about this.. shameful!
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Sep 18, 2022 12:31am
Who is Mr. Nawaz to select the Chief. In reality he was a criminal looted nations wealth for himself that ultimately put the country in twenty years back. It is only an elected govt.with the President has right to mirror the peoples opinion to bring changes in the country.
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Sep 18, 2022 12:40am
I would bet on martial law instead. It's overdue by 10 years now.
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Sep 18, 2022 12:50am
Are you sure ? we don’t think that this would be crime minister call..
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Sep 18, 2022 01:01am
An abscond person can not give a good advice to choose a COAS without considering his own interests.
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Sep 18, 2022 01:01am
You are putting PM in difficult position by suggesting he will discuss Army Chief's appointment with Nawaz. If Nawaz takes such decision than IK too has a point.
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Sep 18, 2022 01:03am
criminal consulting with convict - wah Pakistan WAH! your destination is the envy of so many!! *eye roll*
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Sep 18, 2022 01:06am
So basically the army chief picks the PM who then picks the army chief. What a confusing system.
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Sep 18, 2022 01:17am
In what capacity (portfolio he has been given to him), he is talking about this?
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Sep 18, 2022 01:31am
All circus, army chief will be implemented by current chief. He has to be someone who takes care of his back after he leaves. Very loyally, no investigation etc. That’s the only qualifications required.
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Sep 18, 2022 01:36am
One looter has gone to the UK to consult with another looter about the selection of an army chief.
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Sep 18, 2022 01:48am
How can a convicted criminal like Nawaz sharif be involved in policy matters of a country??? This is only possible in Pakistan
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Sep 18, 2022 01:48am
Why is a criminals input needed in this matter.Shameful
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Sep 18, 2022 02:10am
You can say whatever you want - this corrupt regime does not have the mandate from the people of Pakistan
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Sep 18, 2022 02:26am
One Thief consulting the chief Thief. Nice
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Sep 18, 2022 02:27am
Why Is cherry blossom consulting criminal who is wanted in Pakistan,
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Sep 18, 2022 02:32am
When a sitting prime minister has to ask an absconder and fugitive about the next army chiefs appointment you know there is something seriously wrong with that country
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Sep 18, 2022 03:11am
Shame on the PM and PMLN for consulting with with an absconder and convicted person. The party should have deposed him and selected a new party head if it was a democratic party.
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Sep 18, 2022 03:55am
PM SS should take the decision very soon, well in advance, perhaps in September. This will be a good precedent / tradition. Don't keep the nation & Army High Command in suspense. So much depends on the next person's mindset, decisions & performance.
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Sep 18, 2022 04:13am
Look who is speaking? And how did NS's previous 5 picks go? These people never learn
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Sep 18, 2022 04:19am
Consult with corrupt criminal fugitive! Pakistanis you deserve this unless you wake up & open your eyes.
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Sep 18, 2022 04:34am
Kodos to the country whose army chief is picked after consultation with a convicted on the run fellow
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Sep 18, 2022 05:36am
He will not decide on army chief as he will be sent home very soon.
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Sep 18, 2022 06:12am
Never seen such a lowest point in time of our armed forces that such a declare absonder and convicted person will be consulted for the appointment of the chief of army staff.
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Sep 18, 2022 06:26am
The army chief according to Gen Hameed Gul is decided by the US. Right now Nawaz Sharif is in London with all the US administration officials there for the Queen's funeral. It is no mystery the opinion of Nawaz influenced by American administration officials in London will lead to the selection of the next army chief. In fact Shehbaz is in London too so the duo will be conferring with the US administration who will give the name for the next chief and then appoint.
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Sep 18, 2022 06:42am
Consult a Convict?
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Sep 18, 2022 06:42am
Under what capacity Nawaz Sharif will be consulted? He is a wanted man by Pakistani Courts.
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Sep 18, 2022 07:28am
Now a convicted criminal and an absconder will select our new army chief. Special thanks to the neutrals for selecting and imposing these gems on us.
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Sep 18, 2022 07:30am
Power Minister Khurram Dastgir on Saturday said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would consult PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his confidants for the appointment of the next army chief — but the final decision would be his.
How can three convicted criminals, out on bail from jail, be involved in Appointment of our Army chief. All 3 will look at their interest not nations.
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Sep 18, 2022 07:37am
This decision is of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and he will make the final judgement. He will consult his confidants and Nawaz Sharif, but he has to make the decision.”
But both are convicted criminals, ones an absconder from jail, the other out on bail.
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Sep 18, 2022 07:55am
Why Nawaz? He is a Crook
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Sep 18, 2022 08:44am
Talk to an absconder, about a serious matter. What a shame.
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Sep 18, 2022 09:02am
While Niazi will just see the face.
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Sep 18, 2022 11:57am
UK said invitee plus one per country and asked not to use private plane. Along with Biden, SS is also going private mode. SS is also two people with him. Even the emperor of Japan is using commercial flight.
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Sep 18, 2022 12:47pm
Mr. Dustgir is this a government by remote control?
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Sep 18, 2022 01:48pm
A convicted and absconder will choose the COAS, shame for the HANDLERS.
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Sep 18, 2022 02:16pm
Even if it was to be done, why to announce it... Can't these things be done quitely... What a shame, seems politicians lacks common sense
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Sep 18, 2022 09:03pm
A big question mark on entire Army establishment that a Crime Master will take final decision from a Crime King to select next COAS of world power full Army. If this is happens then what kind of trust we have on next Army Chief.
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