PM Shahbaz will appoint the new COAS based on merit.

According to source, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif would use constitutional powers to pick the next Chief of Army Staff (COAS) based on merit and Army recommendations.

The PML-N leader claimed on Geo News’ Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath that the new Army head would have to be appointed in November, and that there are still seven months remaining.

“When the time comes for the military chief’s appointment, PM Shehbaz will utilize his constitutional powers to make the appointment, and nothing will stop him,” Asif said.

In response to ex-information minister Fawad Chaudhry’s comments on the appointment of the COAS, Asif questioned what constitutional and legal authority the PTI had to prevent the premier from choosing the COAS.

Fawad had previously stated on his official Twitter account that while the constitution permits the elected prime minister to appoint the COAS and other crucial posts, the current government does not have the authority to make these permanent appointments.

In response to PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s criticism of Chief Election Commission (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, the PML-N leader stated that the PTI intended to appoint Babar Yaqoob, but the Opposition objected.

“After Babar Yaqoob’s name was rejected, PTI submitted Sikandar Sultan’s name for CEC, although it didn’t say that his name was chosen.”