Pakistan Army's new chief announced, but Shehbaz Sharif govt fears hurdles by President

After months of speculation on whether General Qamar Javed Bajwa will step down as the chief of Pakistan's Army or cause a fresh power tussle, the issue was put to rest on 24 November 2022.

The Shehbaz Sharif government announced the name of the next chief of the Pakistan Army, thus signalling Bajwa's retirement. Lieutenant General Asim Munir has been chosen as Bajwa's successor.

However, a storm may still be brewing as Defence Minister appealed to Pakistan's President to not make the appointment "controversial" and endorse the Prime Minister's decision. Minister Khawaja Asif said that the issue should not be seen through a "political lens" as the decision was taken according to law and Constitution.

General Bajwa is retiring after he got a 3-year extension in 2019 by the then-government led by Imran Khan.

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