F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi has no authority to reject any advice from the prime minister, said legal experts as a summary for the appointment for new Pakistan Army chief has been sent to the president.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has decided to appoint Lieutenant General Asim Munir as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Lt Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).
COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa is all set to retire on November 29.
Legal experts are of the view that the president cannot hold consultation with anyone before approving a summary for the appointment of army chief as it is not in line with the Constitution.
A day earlier, PTI Chairman Imran Khan revealed that President Alvi would consult him on the two highest appointments in the military.
Citing the constitutional provisions and Army Act’s Section 8 which regulates the appointment, the experts said that the president could take advice given by the PM, but could not turn it down in any way.
Last week, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto advised President Alvi against creating any mess up in the appointment of army chief.
Addressing a press conference, he said: “President Arif Alvi has the last chance and I hope he will follow the law and constitution but if he [President] tries to mess up, then he will also have to suffer the consequences.”
