Pakistan Army announces major reshuffle in high command

The Pakistan Army has carried out a major reshuffle in its senior command structure, with several newly promoted Major Generals

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army has carried out a major reshuffle in its senior command structure, with several newly promoted Major Generals being assigned key appointments at the General Headquarters (GHQ) as well as important field commands, according to highly placed military sources.

The appointments, which have reportedly been made with immediate effect, include senior responsibilities in military intelligence, strategic directorates, divisional command, the Frontier Corps and the Pakistan Coast Guard.

According to the sources, Major General Adil Waraich has been appointed Director General Military Intelligence (DG MI), one of the Army’s key intelligence positions. The Military Intelligence directorate deals with military intelligence and counter-intelligence responsibilities and plays an important role in the Army’s intelligence structure.

Major General Sajid has been posted as Director General Z, while Major General Shamrez has been appointed Director General S. Major General Jawad has also been assigned as Director General P, giving the newly promoted officers responsibilities in important directorates at GHQ.

In the field command structure, Major General Khurram Shabbir has been appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 17 Division. The appointment places him in command of a major Army formation responsible for the operational and administrative affairs of the division.

Major General Ateeq Rafiq has been appointed Director General Pakistan Coast Guard. The Coast Guard performs security and law-enforcement functions along Pakistan’s coastal belt, including responsibilities related to counter-smuggling and maritime security.

Meanwhile, Major General Zafar has been appointed Inspector General Frontier Corps (South) Balochistan, while Major General Farhan has been assigned as Inspector General Frontier Corps (West) Balochistan.

The Frontier Corps appointments assume significance because of the security responsibilities in Balochistan, including border management, internal security duties and counter-terrorism operations. The western region also includes areas adjoining Afghanistan and Iran.

The appointments follow the recent promotion process in the Pakistan Army under which Brigadiers were promoted to the rank of Major General. A Major General holds a two-star rank and may be assigned either staff responsibilities at GHQ or command responsibilities in the field.

Staff appointments at GHQ generally involve policy formulation, planning, intelligence, personnel matters and coordination of military operations. Command appointments, meanwhile, involve the direct leadership and administration of formations or operational organisations.

The appointment of a new DG Military Intelligence is particularly significant because the position is part of the Army’s senior intelligence leadership. Similarly, divisional command provides a Major General with direct responsibility for a major military formation.

The new Frontier Corps appointments also come at a time when security and border-management responsibilities remain important in Balochistan. The Coast Guard posting carries responsibilities linked to security along the country’s coastline and efforts against illegal activities.

According to the sources, the newly appointed officers are expected to assume charge of their respective assignments in the coming days, completing another round of changes in the Pakistan Army’s senior command and staff structure.