General Asim Munir has taken the reins as the 17th Chief of the Army Staff. He has taken the charge at a time when the military is facing unprecedented issues and challenges. But it is hoped that the military will adhere to the decision of the outgoing COAS to stay out of politics.
“Gen Asim Munir had the main role behind the military’s approach to distance itself from politics,” said anchorperson Kamran Shahid while speaking during private news channel’s program On the Front.
He added that the nation should have faith in the fact that the new chief of the armed forces is in reality apolitical and has no affiliation with any political party.
The COAS, Shahid maintained, will be ready to serve the country and its institutions, and to assist the state whenever it needs the armed forces.
Conspiracies
Elaborating on the conspiracies against the new COAS, the anchorperson claimed that Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan did not want Gen Asim as the chief of the military, so he asked for an extension in Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s term in service.
Another conspiracy was a potential martial law in view of the prevailing situation in the country, but a crucial Corps Commander meeting dismissed the notion.
A third conspiracy, according to the journalist, came to the fore when a prominent general, who has now retired, decided to approach the Supreme Court against Gen Asim’s appointment.
In addition to the fact that the case wouldn’t hold up in the court, opting for it would have been against the discipline of the army, so the idea was dropped.
Shahid said that the fourth conspiracy was to suggest Gen Sahir Shamshad’s name for the top slot, but the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and his brother, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stood firm on their unanimous decision.
Gen Asim Munir: A Brief Profile
He has previously served as Director-General (DG) Military Intelligence (MI), Director-General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Corps Commander Gujranwala and Quartermaster General at General Headquarters (GHQ).
The senior-most officer is regarded as a fair-natured and humble man, and is hafiz-e-Quran (memorizer of Holy Quran).
He has utmost belief in democracy, democratic leadership, and the jurisdiction of the civilian authority.
Lt Gen Munir has a flawless profile and immense contributions for the armed forces of the country.
After all these conspiracies the incumbent was tasked to drop all other issues of his office and state and as his topmost priority to work to restore the “trust deficit” between military and “awaam” a euphemism for himself (PTI is also an extension of him).
Watch and learn guys. Watch and learn!