ISLAMABAD – Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif asserted on Friday that General Ikramul Haq was also among five potential Chiefs of Army Staff (COAS) who were being considered by the government for appointment.
Asif made the statement ion the floor of national Assembly days after media reports spotted only four choices available to Prime Minister for next military chief. four names were being thought upon to lead the military after General Raheel Sharif retires later this month.
The federal minister has revealed today that Gujranwala Corps Commander, General Ikramul Haq was also among the list. He said that a decision would be taken by the premier once he concluded his two-day Turkmenistan visit and returned.
General Haq belongs to Infantry Regiment and 64th Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Long Course. It should be mentioned here that General Haq has also served as Inspector General Training and Aviation.
Other four names that are being deliberated upon are Lieutenant General Zubair Mehmood Hayat, Lieutenant General Ishfaq Nadeem, Lieutenant General Javed Iqbal Ramday and Lieutenant General Qamer Javed Bajwa.
This is the fifth selection that Premier Nawaz Sharif would make during his tenure as Prime Minister. He has also emerged as the only Prime Minister to have appointed maximum number of military heads.
Along with Gen Raheel, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Rashad Mahmood is also completing his term on Tuesday and so PM has to select his successor as well.
