NEVER in the history of Pakistan has the appointment of the new chief of the army staff (COAS) been the subject of so much discussion in the media even though the country’s Constitution is quite clear on the subject.

The prime minister selects one name from amongst those sent by the General Headquarters (GHQ) and sends it to the president for his final approval, which is more symbolic than otherwise. The president invariably agrees to the recommendations of the prime minister.

Where have then the things gone wrong in the selection process of the new army chief? Why were we, the nation, so concerned about the matter? What about the selection of the other two services chiefs? There have never been any questions raised on the selection of naval and air force chiefs and will probably never be. Why is there so much anxiety and fuss only while selecting the new army chief?

Nowhere else in the world such a hue and cry is raised while appointing services chiefs. This job is left to the head of the government. It is my request to politicians, especially those in the opposition, not to politicise the appointment of the army chief. Appointing the army chief is the prerogative of the prime minister, and he has, in fact, done his job quite well.

Cdre (retd)) Sajjad Ali Shah Bokhari
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2022