Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Friday directed his party leaders to "Please ensure there is no criticism of the new Chief and Army Staff."
Munir, who was to retire on November 27, two days before Bajwa completed an extended tenure of almost six years, was among six generals in the race for the top post -- a cause for much uncertainty and speculation till this week.
The hype and hoopla created over the appointment of Pakistan's new army chief came to rest after General Asim Munir and General Sahir Shamshad Mirza were notified as the next chief of army staff (COAS) and chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) respectively on November 24.
On Thursday, Lieutenant General Asim Munir was named as the new chief of army staff (COAS), ending weeks of intense speculation and political tussle in the country. He will replace Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, who is retiring after a three-year extension.
President Arif Alvi on Thursday signed the summary and approved the appointment of Lieutenant General Asim Munir as the next Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee (CJCSC).
Earlier today, Pakistan Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that Lt Gen Asim Munir has been named as the chief of army staff and Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza has been named as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.
Munir was among those in Pakistan who oversaw the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, according to Tilak Devasher, a member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) and who retired as Special Secretary, the Cabinet Secretariat.
Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has decided to appoint Lt. Gen. Sahir Shamshad Mirza as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Lt. Gen. Syed Asim Munir as the Chief of the Army Staff using the constitutional authority, Pakistan Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said.
The Prime Minister's Office has not yet confirmed the development. A senior government official had refuted claims that there was a deadlock between the military and civil leadership over the appointment of Pakistan's next Chief of Army Staff.