ISLAMABAD: Pakistani information minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said on Tuesday the “authority” to appoint a new head of the powerful ISI military spy agency rested with the prime minister but the civilian government and the military had an “ideal” relationship and neither would ever take steps to undermine the other.
The minister’s comments on Monday came amid widespread media speculation in Pakistan about an alleged rift between Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa over last week’s appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmad Anjum as DG ISI.
The army is arguably the most influential institution in Pakistan, with the military having ruled the country for about half of its 74-year history since independence from Britain and enjoying extensive powers even under civilian administrations.
By turn, the head of the ISI occupies one of the most important posts in Pakistan. He is customarily appointed by the prime minister on the advice of the army chief.
Though Gen Anjum’s appointment was announced by the army’s media wing on October 6, the PM House has not yet released an official notification about the posting, fueling speculation about a disagreement.
Hussain said the army chief and the prime minister had a “very long meeting” on Monday night on the issue.
“The legal procedure will be followed in the appointment of the new DG ISI, for which both [Gen Bajwa and Prime Minister Khan] are in agreement,” he said. “For this [appointment], the authority lies with the prime minister.”
“The prime minister and the army chief have a very close and a very pleasant relationship,” the minister said. “The relationship between the civil [government] and the army is ideal.”
“The Prime Minister Office will never take a step due to which the respect of the Pakistan army and the army chief will be reduced,” he added. “The Pakistan army and army chief will also not take any steps due to which the respect of the Pakistani prime minister or the civil set up will be reduced.”
While announcing the new DG ISI, the army also transferred the current head of the ISI, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, as Corps Commander Peshawar. Gen Hameed is widely considered close to the prime minister.
The ISI is widely believed to have a hidden role in making many of the nuclear-armed nation’s policies, including on Afghanistan and India. The threat to Pakistan from nuclear-armed neighboring India has been a main preoccupation of the ISI through the decades.
‘Authority’ to appoint ISI chief rests with PM, government’s relations with army ‘ideal’ — minister
https://arab.news/2rhkp
‘Authority’ to appoint ISI chief rests with PM, government’s relations with army ‘ideal’ — minister
- Information minister’s comments came amid widespread media reports about alleged rift between prime minister and army chief
- Says two leaders had long meeting on Monday, both in agreement on “legal procedure” for appointment of DG ISI
Pakistan U19 to open tri-series against Afghanistan on Saturday in Zimbabwe
- Pakistan enter the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai
- The tri-series is seen as key preparation for next month’s U19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team will begin their tri-series campaign against Afghanistan on Saturday in Harare, using the tournament as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan, the reigning ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup champions, are competing in the 50-over tri-series alongside Afghanistan and hosts Zimbabwe, with each team playing the others twice before the top two advance to the final on Jan. 6.
Pakistan won the eight-team Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this month, beating India by 191 runs in the final, and will play a minimum of four matches in the tri-series, starting at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
“The Asia Cup was a good win for us and the players showed great morale and intensity,” Pakistan captain Farhan Yousaf said, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). “The tri-series is very important for the players and will help us find the right combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s U19 World Cup.”
Pakistan will face Zimbabwe on Dec. 29 before meeting Afghanistan again on Jan. 2, followed by a second match against the hosts on Jan. 4. Matches will be played across venues in Harare, including Harare Sports Club, Prince Edward School and Sunrise Sports Club.
The tri-series is being seen as an important warm-up ahead of the U19 World Cup, which will be held from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6. Pakistan are placed in Group C and will play all their group-stage matches in Harare.
“The conditions here are similar and will be beneficial for our World Cup preparations,” Yousaf said. “Both teams in the tournament are strong and competitive and we respect every opposition as we look forward to a competitive event.”
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign against England on Jan. 16, followed by matches against Scotland and Zimbabwe, with the Super Six stage beginning on Jan. 25 and the final scheduled for Feb. 6 at Harare Sports Club.
