Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has started discussions with the senior leadership of the ruling parties in preparation for the selection of the new army chief.
According to local media reports, “The associated parties have fully mandated the premier to make the nomination by established protocols and traditions.”
Reports suggested that the leader of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Maulana Fazlur Rehman called the prime minister to inquire about this health.
The two leaders discussed the political matters and the selection of the new army chief over the phone.
The PPP and JUI-F leadership gave PM Shehbaz Sharif complete authority to choose the new army chief by his preferences.
PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is also now in Islamabad and is reportedly planning to meet with PM Shehbaz and JUI-F leader Fazlur Rehman soon.
Earlier, Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif said that PML-N did not have a preference for the selection of the army chief.
When asked about reports of a deadlock over the choice of the next army chief between PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, he said that because consultations over the appointment have not yet taken place, there is no possibility of a deadlock.
