ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Succumbing to the demands of the military, the government has finally appointed retired Lt Gen Zamir ul Hassan Shah as defence secretary.
According to Dawn News, The military had recommended Gen Shah’s name to the government for appointment as the defence secretary long before Gen Khattak completed his tenure. The government initially rejected the nomination and asked the military to nominate some other officer but the military insisted on Shah’s appointment. Zamir finally assumed the office on Thursday.
Principal Information Officer Rao Tehsin rejected reports of friction between the PM office and GHQ over the latest appointment.
Gen Shah had retired from military service earlier this year. His last posting was adjutant general of Pakistan Army.
It is relevant to mention that the office of the defence secretary is the highest bureaucratic office in the defence ministry, but has a diminished role with the real powers resting with the GHQ. Quintessentially the defence secretary is appointed after an advice of the army chief.
