Kayani gets additional charge as chairman of JCSC

Hours before Gen Wynne retired yesterday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the new CJCSC and Army chief would be chosen together after “comprehensive considerations”.  Kayani has already announced that he would step down at the end of his term on November 29.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister had said yesterday, “While expectation regarding announcement of the successor to the outgoing CJCSC before October 8 is reasonable, the issue needs a comprehensive consideration due to the fact that office of the COAS is also falling vacant soon”.  
He did not elaborate.

The Prime Minister “has, therefore, decided to announce the names for both the appointments at the same time”, he said.

Sharif said his government is fully cognisant of its constitutional obligations and every decision will be made keeping the country's interests supreme.  

The appointment of army chiefs has never been easy for civilian governments in Pakistan.