The Pakistan Army Chief, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, has appointed newly promoted generals to key military positions in a major reshuffle of brass.
The most significant of these appointments is Maj. Gen. Ashfaq Nadeem Ahmed being named Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO). Maj. Gen. Nadeem Ahmed cut a tall figure in his last posting as GOC, Swat, where he oversaw a critical phase of the Swat reclamation initiative.
Lt. Gen. Javed Iqbal is the Pakistan Army’s new adjutant-general, replacing former ISI chief Lt. Gen. Nadeem Taj, due to retire next week. Lt. Gen. Taj was counted amongst the most influential generals during Pervez Musharraf’s regime and was replaced as ISI chief by Lt. Gen. Shuja Pasha. Gen. Pasha, who was already on an extension, was given another year in office by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in March this year.
The original retirement date for Gen. Pasha, who has been serving as ISI DG since his appointment by Gen. Kayani in September 2008, was March 18, 2010.
Lt. Gen. Mohammad Asif was appointed Director-General, Joint Staff. His last posting was GOC, Sialkot. Lt. Gen. Sardar Mehmood was appointed deputy chairman, Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority, a post vacant for the past two months since the former deputy chairman, Lt. Gen. Haroon Aslam, was made a corps commander.
Lt. Gen. Mohammad Ahsan has been appointed engineer-in-chief; he was serving as DG, weapons and equipment. Lt. Gen. Abid Pervez will now be looking after the Army’s logistics as the new DG, Logistics.
Last year, PM Gilani had extended Gen. Kayani’s term for three more years to ensure continuity in the fight against the Taliban in the tribal areas. Mr Gilani had said the decision had been taken after relaxing the rules and keeping in view the active role played by Gen. Kayani in the war against terror. The extension period started from November 29, 2010.
Officials said the appointment of a new team by Gen. Kayani is aimed at giving a chance to generals who “deserved” promotion.