Former ISI Chief Asim Munir To Head Pak Army

ISLAMABAD, (IANS) – Pakistan President Arif Alvi on November 24 approved the recommendation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the appointment of Lieutenant General Syed Asim Munir as the next Army chief, and Lieutenant General Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the new Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, ending days of speculation.

The development came following the President’s meeting with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan. Footage of the President’s caravan arriving at Khan’s Lahore residence was widely shared on social media. Alvi also held a meeting with legal experts and signed the summary following the meeting with Khan.

Munir, was Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence when Khan was in office. Khan had later fired Munir without explanation. Munir also held important positions under the outgoing army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, including head of military intelligence.

The current crisis in Pakistan came to a head with Khan charging Bajwa of working with Sharif to oust him as prime minister.