Pakistan’s widely popular army chief was confirmed to the newly created post of chief of defence forces, a position that was established last month to improve coordination among the army, navy and air force.
Pakistan’s army chief has been appointed to the newly created role of chief of defence forces, a position established last month to enhance coordination between the army, navy, and air force.
According to a statement from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office, a summary recommending Field Marshal Asim Munir for both chief of army staff and chief of defence forces was sent to President Asif Ali Zardari, who approved the appointment, officially confirming Munir’s expanded responsibilities.
“The appointment is for a period of five years,” the statement added.
The Prime Minister also approved a two-year extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar, it said.
Munir has gained national prominence earlier this year when Pakistan claimed victory over India in a four-day conflict. The clashes in May involved reciprocal strikes, with India targeting positions in Pakistan linked to militants accused of killing 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, and Pakistan responding against Indian military sites.
But the two sides stepped back from the brink of war after U.S. President Donald Trump said India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire. Since then, the truce between the two nuclear-rivals is holding.
The elevation of Munir comes months after Pakistan promoted him to field marshal, making him only the second military officer in the country’s history to hold the title. The first was Gen. Ayub Khan, who led Pakistan during the 1965 war with India.
The law passed by parliament last month stipulates that Munir will remain in uniform for life and will enjoy immunity from arrest, a move which has drawn criticism from the party of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan which says the grant of sweeping powers to Munir undermines democracy.
The army has historically wielded huge influence in Pakistan, ruling it for half of the country’s history. But it has also been fighting local and foreign militants since 2001, when Pakistan became an ally of the United States in the war on terror, and thousands of people, including sliders and police officers, have died since then in militant attacks.
With inputs from agencies
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