During an interview with BBC Urdu, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the new general elections in Pakistan are possible before the retirement of COAS Qamar Bajwa in November.

Khawaja Asif also said in the interview that there is a high probability that the interim setup may also wind up before November and a new government takes charge before the appointment of the new army chief.

To a question, the minister said that the COAS General Qamar Bajwa has refused to take an extension himself.

Accusing ex-prime minister Imran Khan, the defence minister said that Imran Khan wanted to appoint the new army chief on a personal whim. “He [Imran Khan] wanted continuation of protection of his regime and political interests,” Asif claimed.

He said the matter of the appointment of the army chief should be institutionalised now like the judiciary.

He said, “There is no speculation [in the judiciary] and I know who is going to be chief justice in 2028.”

“In my personal opinion, the appointment of the new army chief should be based on merit instead of bringing it up. This is a big and very important issue, it should never be the subject of political debate,” he said during the interview.

Responding to a question, the minister said that name of Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, who is considered close to Imran Khan, will be considered for the COAS post if it is present in the seniority list.

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