Raheel Sharif chosen as new Pakistan army chief

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Ray

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Raheel Sharif chosen as new Pakistan army chief - govt official

ISLAMABAD, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Pakistan has chosen career infantry officer Lieutenant-General Raheel Sharif as the new all-powerful army chief, a Defence Ministry official told Reuters on Wednesday.

"The prime minister has chosen Sharif as the new army chief and the president has signed off on it," the defence official said, declining to be identified, adding an official statement would be released soon.

Raheel Sharif chosen as new Pakistan army chief - govt official
 

Ray

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Gen Rashid likely to be new army chief

Kayani 'tipped' to get new powerful job on retirement


ISLAMABAD - Consultations have been completed to choose Kayani's successor as the government will not wait for November 28, the day when incumbent Chief of Army Staff is going to retire.

The decision will come in the coming week, much earlier than Kayani's retirement date," a senior official of Prime Minister Secretariat told The Nation on Friday. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif plans will name the successor of General Kayani weeks before the incumbent's extended six-year term expires in November, sources revealed. The move is aimed at quashing the ongoing guessing game about the next chief of army staff and ensuring a smooth changeover at a time when the military is fighting militants on many fronts.

In prior two appointments - Gen Waheed Kakar in 1993 and Gen Pervez Musharraf in 1998 - the Premier preferred dependability to merit. However, close aides of the Premier said there is a growing realisation on part of the PM that he made a mistake in ignoring merit when he made the decisive appointments. Now, the Premier has taken a stance that he will make a decision purely on merit and will keep seniority in mind when appointing a new army chief. If the principle of seniority is strictly adhered to, then after the retirement of Gen Kayani, Gen Haroon Aslam is likely to become chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, and next most senior general - Gen Rashid Mahmood - may be new army chief.

Known as a diehard Rajput and a typical Lahoria who has an illustrious penchant for spicy Lahori cuisine, Lt Gen Rashid Mahmood got commission in Pakistan Army in 1979 and belongs to 7 Baloch Regiment. Interestingly the incumbent COAS Gen Kiyani belongs to 5-Baloch Regiment. Gen Rashid Mahmood has served as Military Secretary to former President Rafique Tarar in 1999 at the time when former dictator Pervez Musharaf imposed martial law in the country. He passed staff college from US with flying colours. Gen Rashid also served in ISI as DG (P). He also served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) and Corps Commander Lahore almost for five years in both positions. During this period, he managed good relations with Sharifs.

Gen Kayani, who was appointed as the army chief by former military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf in 2007, has already availed a three-year extension granted by then Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in 2010. He is now expected to retire on November 28. Some funnily ridiculous reports naively suggest that General Kayani would be made Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee on his retirement. These reports have conveniently forgotten that General Kayani retires on November 28 while CJCSC retires on October 7 and his replacement would be made in the ongoing week.
A PML-N senior leader who is very close to the Prime Minister, however, said that the decision would be taken at an 'appropriate time and refused to share any decision in this regard.'

Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) had the chance to appoint a new army chief in November 2010 but it extended the tenure of the Gen Kayani. Reuters adds: General Ashfaq Kayani is likely to stay head of the military with a new title when he steps down as army chief next month, government and security sources said, taking over some of the duties of his successor.

Sources and aides close to Kayani said Sharif wanted to make him head of a revamped and more powerful Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC). One senior intelligence official said Sharif planned to overhaul the JCSC, a largely ceremonial office, into a 'central defence body' by restoring its command over the entire military establishment and giving it additional powers. "The new JCSC chief will be in charge of the nuclear arsenal. He'll decide on action against terrorists," said the source, adding that new powers included the right to promote, post and transfer key military officers.

"Basically, the JCSC office will be what it was always supposed to be. The overall boss." Military officials did not return repeated calls seeking comment. The government's spokesman said he also could not comment until an official announcement on Monday when the current JCSC chief is due to step down. "The JCSC chairmanship is the most likely option for Kayani," said a close Sharif aide. "He's an expert on the Pakistani insurgency. He understands the war in Afghanistan."

Gen Rashid likely to be new army chief

*********************************************************************

This is what the NATION had speculated.
 

Patriot

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WoW!! Sharif & Sharif co..

I hope Pakis will show some 'Sharafat' now on.
 

kseeker

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Raheel sharif, Ashfaq Kayani, Parvez Musharruff, Aaada Tedaa, Lambu Chhotu, Mohammed Ahmed etc... etc.. whoever becomes Pukes Army Chief, not going to make things better for India for sure !!!
 

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Who will become the next army chief?


Lt Gen Haroon Aslam (2nd L) has also commanded the Bahawalpur Corps and was promoted to the position of Lt General in April 2010

In the past couple of weeks, speculation has been rife over the appointment of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and rumours say that this time around the decision-making will be extremely judicious for which the screening process is already underway.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has a daunting task ahead of him to appoint successors to Pakistan's coveted military offices CJCSC and the COAS after Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne and Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani retire on October 6 and November 29 respectively.

With these critical decisions to be made by Prime Minister Sharif who is in office for a record third time, observers have drawn parallels to an earlier period in Pakistan's political history where the premier faced a similar kind of dilemma.

In 1998, General Pervez Musharraf was appointed as the army chief out of turn who later ousted Sharif's government in a bloodless coup d'état. The outcome from the appointment also explains why the prime minister recently announced that he would appoint the senior-most lieutenant general as COAS.

For this task, the premier has sought assistance from Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and incumbent Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif. It is worth mentioning that the former was also highly instrumental during the appointment of General Musharraf in 1998.

Sharif would have to decide between two potential generals if the current stance on seniority is maintained. PML-N leaders say that the contenders tipped to succeed Gen Kayani and Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne include Lt Gen Haroon Aslam and Admiral Asif Sandilla.

Lt General Haroon Aslam currently holds the position of Chief of Logistics Staff at the Army Head Quarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. He enjoys a credible reputation within the military ranks and a strong army career during which he commanded the Bahawalpur Corps and was later promoted to the position of Lt General in April 2010. He also participated in the 2009 Rah-i-Rast operation conducted against Taliban militants in Swat.

If the principle of seniority is upheld, then Gen Haroon Aslam will be appointed to the office of COAS while Admiral Asif Sandilla, who is the Chief of Naval Staff and the senior most official in the armed forces, will be the CJCSC.

However, if the Pak Navy chief does not get the post of the CJCSC, then Haroon Aslam is likely to take over and Lt Gen Rashad Mahmood will become the COAS.

The names would be forwarded to the Ministry of Defence, which is also headed by the prime minister himself.

There is tangible evidence to suggest that Gen Rashad Mahmood is a prospective candidate to make it to the office. Earlier this year, Mahmood was named the new Chief of General Staff (CGS), which is one of the most prestigious positions in the army. Moreover, he has served as the Corps Commander of Lahore. Another key position he previously held was of military secretary to former president Rafiq Tarar.

In a situation where Prime Minister Sharif decides to give seniority a toss, then generals who can be considered for the post may include: Inspector General Training and Evaluation at the GHQ Lt Gen Raheel Sharif, Corps Commander of Mangla Lt. Gen Tariq Khan, Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence Lt Gen Muhammad Zaheerul Islam and Commander XXX Corps Gujranwala Lt Gen Salim Nawaz.

Who will become the next army chief? - DAWN.COM

***************************************************

This is DAWN's speculation.
 

Ray

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Raheel Sharif being appointed army chief, Rashad Mahmood CJCSC


Lt Gen Raheel Sharif (L) and Lt Gen Rashad Mahmood

ISLAMABAD: After weeks of intense speculation, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has finally made the selection of two senior army officers as Chief of Army Staff and Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee, highly placed sources told Dawn.com.

Lt Gen Raheel Sharif is being appointed as the COAS whereas Lt Gen Rashad Mahmood is being appointed as the CJCSC. Raheel is currently serving as Inspector General Training and Evaluation whereas Mahmood is serving as Chief of General Staff.

Both senior military officials met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier today where the premier conveyed them the decision. The two meetings were viewed as immensely significant as they came a day before General Kayani's retirement from his post of army chief.

On Nov 28, the two would be promoted to the rank of four star general and at 12 pm on Nov 29, Raheel Sharif will take charge as the army chief in a change of command ceremony. Mahmood is likely to assume office after the Nov 29 ceremony.

For the occasion, General Kayani has sent out invitations to senior government officials.

Although President Mamnoon Hussain has approved a summary sent by the prime minister over the appointments, an official announcement in this regard has however not been made.

The selection implies that frontrunner and the senior most military officer Lt Gen Haroon Aslam, currently serving as Chief of Logistic Staff, was ignored for the elevation.

The post of army chief is arguably the most powerful in Pakistan and anxiety prevailed on who will replace the taciturn, chain-smoking General Kayani, who will step down on Friday after six years at the helm.

General Kayani's retirement from the post comes after rules were relaxed to grant him an extension in July 2010 by the PPP-led coalition government in what then prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said was in the interest of continuity at a time when the war on terror was successfully continuing against elements who wanted to impose a system of their choice on the country.

Raheel Sharif being appointed army chief, Rashad Mahmood CJCSC - DAWN.COM
 

Blackwater

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Gen haroon and Gen Tariq are by passed in this episode.

will there be rift or bagawat in pak army????:p:p:p
 

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Once-bitten Sharif to appoint new Pakistani army chief

(Reuters) - Pakistan's prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, will this week name a new army chief who, if all goes well, could help the nuclear-armed nation shake off a legacy of coups and instability.

The stakes could not be higher. The last time Sharif chose an army chief, he was toppled by the same general, Pervez Musharraf, a year later. Musharraf held power for nearly a decade from 1999 until the restoration of civilian rule.

The United States, which views Pakistani cooperation as vital to its strategy in neighboring Afghanistan, will be watching closely, hoping for continuity before most foreign troops pull out of Afghanistan next year.

"What is best for the country may not be the best political option," said Mahmud Durrani, a former general who served as Pakistan's national security adviser until 2008.

"Nawaz will try to appoint someone who will do his bidding, not someone who is good for the army. And similarly, the new chief will be driven by the institution and not necessarily by any civilian leader."

The post of army chief is arguably the most powerful in Pakistan and anxiety rests on who will replace the taciturn, chain-smoking General Ashfaq Kayani, who steps down on Friday after six years at the helm.

Three senior generals, Lieutenant-General Haroon Aslam, Lieutenant-General Tariq Khan and Lieutenant-General Rashad Mahmood, are seen as main contenders.

Mahmood is the third most senior commander and, army insiders say, a Kayani favorite.

Khan commands a Pakistani army corps and is considered an important interlocutor with the United States.

Aslam is the most senior military officer after Kayani, and thus his natural heir.

Kayani has won credit for reducing the military's public role in politics although the army retains huge influence behind the scenes, especially over security and foreign policy.

Like every civilian leader, Sharif will be keen to limit that sway under a new commander.

"Nawaz may trust in Kayani's democratic credentials, but he knows that is no guarantee that the next guy will also stay in the barracks," said a senior official in Sharif's administration who declined to be named.

"He also knows full well that most senior army officers are not supporters of Kayani's softer approach. This is an uneasy moment for Nawaz."

The army has ruled Pakistan for more than half its 66-year history and generals jealously guard what they see as their right to dictate policies.

CHANGING ATTITUDE

One of Sharif's pledges in the run-up to his May election victory was to improve ties with old rival India.

Clashes between the two armies in the disputed Kashmir region just weeks after the vote put paid to that, for the time being at least, and Sharif will need to gain the support of Kayani's successor to make any progress on that front.

At home, the army has been wary of another Sharif campaign promise to open talks with Pakistani Taliban militants, battling the state since 2007 to impose their vision of Islamist rule.

On the broader, decades-old issue of Pakistan's army using militant groups to further objectives in Afghanistan and in confronting India, Western officials believe that under Kayani the army's attitudes have been changing, largely because of the rise of the Pakistani Taliban.

Western officials believe that Kayani has been instrumental in pushing for negotiated settlements with insurgents on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistani border.

They'll be hoping that trend continues under his successor.

"Sharif can't afford to pick a wild card right now," a retired Pakistani general told Reuters. "He knows full well that this is not a time for adventurism or any wild experiments."

(Editing by Dylan Welch, Robert Birsel and Alistair Lyon)

:taunt1::taunt1::pound::pound:

Once-bitten Sharif to appoint new Pakistani army chief | Reuters
 

Abhijeet Dey

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WoW!! Sharif & Sharif co..

I hope Pakis will show some 'Sharafat' now on.
What difference does it make? He is another general who will be in denial & will force militants inside Kashmir (as per Pakistan's Kashmir policy). Musharraf planned Kargil & Kiyani planned LOC beheadings. Let's see what this new guy does..
 

Yusuf

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Here is his photo as released by pak army. Neatly edited to show his very fair martial race

 

BangersAndMash

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Known as a diehard Rajput? :confused: :noidea:

Born in Quetta in 1956. Is there a history of Rajputs in Balochistan?

His skin is noticeably lighter then the reitiring general, so in the eyes of pakis, he certainly qualifies to be more paki then brown skinned Kayani. :heh:
 

tramp

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It does not matter who the civilian leadership names. The top power center in Pakistan will be army proper aka corp commanders. Even thick headed Sharif knows that.

The newly named army chief is due to retire in October 2014, giving him less than a year to serve. But Sharif might be hoping to keep the prospect of extension as a bait for good behavior. But who can predict ahead when the whole region is headed to tumultuous times.
 

tramp

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on a not so light vein, apparently all mustachioed army chiefs have toppled civilian governments in Pakistan!!
 

Decklander

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Known as a diehard Rajput? :confused: :noidea:

Born in Quetta in 1956. Is there a history of Rajputs in Balochistan?

His skin is noticeably lighter then the reitiring general, so in the eyes of pakis, he certainly qualifies to be more paki then brown skinned Kayani. :heh:
Gen Rasheed Mahmood was the diehard Rajput and he has been passed over by Sharief for Raheel Sharief who is a typical lahoria Punjabi. Good for nothing.
 
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