When the time comes, PM Shehbaz will appoint next COAS on merit: Khawaja Asif

• There are still seven months left for the appointment of new COAS, defense minister says. 
• Khawaja Asif questions what right does the PTI has constitutionally and legally to stop PM from appointing COAS?
• PTI had proposed Sikandar Sultan’s name for CEC, he mentions.

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Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would exercise powers given in the Constitution to appoint the next Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on merit and recommendations given by Army, Geo News reported.

Speaking on the Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, the PML-N leader said the new Army chief’s appointment would have to take place in November and there are still seven months left.

“When the time will come for military chief’s appointment, PM Shehbaz will exercise his powers given in the constitution for the appointment, however, nothing can stop him from doing so,” Asif said.

In reference to ex-information minister Fawad Chaudhry’s statement regarding the appointment of COAS, Asif questioned what right did the PTI has constitutionally and legally to stop the premier from appointing the COAS?

A day earlier, Fawad took to his official Twitter handle and said that the constitution allows the elected prime minister to appoint COAS and make other important appointments, however, the present government has no right to make these permanent appointments.

Reacting to PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s criticism of Chief Election Commission (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja, the PML-N leader said that PTI had wanted to appoint Babar Yaqoob but the then Opposition opposed his name.

“After rejecting Babar Yaqoob, PTI proposed Sikandar Sultan’s name for CEC, however, it didn’t say that his name was given by establishment,” he added.

Khawaja Asif further said: "We have ousted Imran Khan from our votes and ended his four years regime involved in full corruption."