Reacting to appointment of new ISI chief in Pakistan and that is being seen as meek surrender of Iman Khan before the Pak military, a former Indian envoy to Islamabad, Sharat Sabharwal told a television channel that "the result is on expected line".
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| Imran and Nadeem Anjum: File snaps |
However, spin masters have been put on the job and some of them said, though Imran Khan finally picked the same general, who was named as new spymaster in October 6 press release of military's media wing, perhaps Pak PM has set a new precedent for the appointment of DG ISI.
"It was for the first time that the prime minister interviewed potential candidates before finalising the name of new spy chief sent by the Ministry of Defence," said a report in Pakistani newspaper 'The Express Tribune'.
Since 2000, it was only in 2012 when the announcement of new DG ISI came from the PM office and even that too was terse statement making no mention of either the interviews or consultations with the army chief. On all other occasions the announcement of ISI Chief was made by ISPR, military’s media wing.
In fact last two appointments during the current government also came from the ISPR. But only this time PM Imran objected to the past practice and insisted that he would make the final call.
Imran Khan gives in, bows to wishes of Army chief Bajwa
The army-civilian government leadership relationship in Pakistan stands where it was - a clear supremacy of the military.
Islamabad will get a new ISI chief in Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum from next month.
He will replace the incumbent Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, who moves to a Corps command.
"The prime minister (Imran Khan) has seen and approved the appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum ... as director general Inter-Services Intelligence, with effect from November 20, 2021, from the panel of officers," a notification issued by the PMO dated October 26 said.
However, spin masters have been put on the job and some of them said, though Imran Khan finally picked the same general, who was named as new spymaster in the October 6 press release of the military's media wing, perhaps Pak PM has set a new precedent for the appointment of DG ISI.
"It was for the first time that the prime minister (Imran) interviewed potential candidates before finalising the name of the new spy chief sent by the Ministry of Defence," said a report in Pakistani newspaper 'The Express Tribune'. But this is seen only as a face saver for Imran Khan.
The designated DG Inter Service Intelligence, Pak's notorious spy organisation, shall assume charge
on November 20, 2021.
Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum, who was commissioned in service in September 1988, earlier headed Corps V in
Karachi, media reports said.
Finally the 'formal and final' appointment order for new ISI chief comes after nearly three weeks of
standoff between the military and the PMO in Islamabad over the appointment of Pakistan's new
spymaster.
The army had announced on Oct 6 that the former ISI chief, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, had been made
the Peshawar corps commander, while Lt Gen Anjum was appointed in his place.
But the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had not since issued an official notification.
The PMO notification is mandatory for the appointment of ISI chief. Lt Gen Anjum is also
described by colleagues as "a man with a glacier brain".
In between, Pak Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had said that the authority to appoint
the ISI chief lay with the Prime Minister.
However, Imran Khan's assertiveness did not yield any result as finally Pakistan gets the new ISI
chief - who has been 'handpicked' by the military and of course with no consultation with the
Prime Minister.
There is speculation as to why Imran Khan tried to confront the Pakistani military establishment.
One reason could be that Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, who also visited Kabul during the peak of Taliban
takeover, was PM Imran's preferred choice to head the spy organisation.
Hameed visited Kabul and reportedly gave 'inputs' to Taliban leaders for new government formation
at a time when Pakistan was internationally denounced for aiding Talibans.
It goes without saying that Pak army is more than just being influential and powerful.
Since 1947, it has staged three military coups toppling the elected Prime Ministers.
Reacting on the development following days of reported standoff between the Pak PM and army
chief, former Indian envoy to Islamabad, Sharat Sabharwal told a television channel that "the result
is on expected line".
Since 2000, it was only in 2012 that the announcement of a new DG ISI came from the PM office.
The pro-Imran lobby has tried to give a spin on the row saying it is "for the first time" that the prime minister
has interviewed 'potential candidates' before finalising the name of the new spy chief.
ends
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