Pakistan PM ratifies army’s choice for spy chief after reported differences

Islamabad, Oct 26 (EFE).- Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday ratified the army’s appointment of its next chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, according to official forces.

The development comes amid reports of differences between Khan and the army concerning the appointment.

“The Prime Minister has seen and approved the appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum as Director General Inter-Services Intelligence with effect from 20th November 2021,” the notification by the prime minister’s office said.

According to the notification, the incumbent ISI head Lt. Gen. Faiz Hamid will continue to remain in charge until Nov.19, 2021.

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa called on Khan before the notification was issued, according to a separate statement by the prime minister’s office.

As per the statement, “the prime minister interviewed all the nominees” from a list provided by the defense ministry, after which “a final round of consultation was held between the Prime Minister and Chief of Army Staff.”

The army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), announced on Oct.6 that Nadeem was appointed as the next ISI chief and Faiz would take charge as Commander Peshawar Corps.

However, the prime minister’s office, which is responsible for notifying such appointments, did not issue any notification regarding the posting.

Local media reported a standoff between the government and the army regarding the appointment, which was responsible for the delay in issuing the notification.

According to local media reports, the prime minister wanted Faiz to serve for a few more months because of the prevailing crisis in Afghanistan.

Many analysts and tv anchors termed the development as a rift between Khan and the army chief, claiming both were no longer on the “same page,” a term used for consensus on important matters. EFE

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