Farah Sohail
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By: Sikander Shaheen | March 13, 2012 |
ISLAMABAD A reshuffle within militarys top hierarchy is on the cards with outgoing spymaster Lieutenant-General Ahmed Shuja Pasha may head the Strategic Planning Division (SPD), the top tactical body that oversees Pakistans nuclear programme, after his retirement on March 18.
According to available information, a total of six three-star generals (lieutenant-generals) will retire this year. Apart from the incumbent Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief, Lt-Gen Tanvir Tahir is the second three-star general scheduled to retire. Tahir is currently performing duties as Inspector General (IG) Communication and Information Technology (COMM and IT).
It is reliably learnt that SPD DG Lt-Gen (r) Khalid Kidwai will most likely be assigned the job of National Engineering and Scientific Commission (Nescom) chairman, in case Lt-Gen Pasha replaces him. The Nescom, being Pakistans another key strategic body, is largely involved in the countrys strategic and defence build-up. The incumbent chairman of Nescom, Irfan Burney, is expected to get another important defence-related assignment under the umbrella of National Command Authority (NCA), the supervisory body for SPD, Nescom and National Defence Complex (NDC). Being a scientific strategic body, the Nescom has the successful accomplishment of some projects to its credit, like Babur (a cruise missile of Hatf series) and Burraq, the laser-guided missile-carrier vehicle.
Another important reorganisation in Armys top hierarchy is expected in November following the retirement of Multan Corps Commander Lt-Gen Shafqaat Ahmed. Reportedly, he would be replaced by Lt-Gen Arshad Waheed, the Chief of General Staff (CGS) or Principal Staff Officer (PSO) at General Headquarters (GHQ). Lt-Gen Arshad, it is further learnt, is likely to get the aforesaid field slot since the elevation of a three-star lieutenant-general to four-star full-scale general rank requires the former to have served as PSO in an addition to have commanded a field post. Lt-Gen Arshad, owing to his professional standing, is deemed as strong candidate within the military circles for further promotion. Following his expected engagement in a field posting, the incumbent Vice Chief of General Staff (DCGS) Lt-Gen Nasir Janjua may be elevated as CGS. Normally, a two-star general (major general) is appointed as VCGS while Lt-Gen Janjua is reportedly performing duties at the aforesaid slot for the time being till he gets an assignment normally handed to a three-star general.
In addition, Deputy Chairman Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) Lt-Gen Sardar Mehmood Ali is retiring next month, while Lt-Gen Ayaz Saleem Rana, the chief of Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), would reach the age of superannuation in October this year. Another three-star general scheduled to retire is National Defence University (NDU) President Lt-Gen Agha Muhammad Umer Farooq.
In another important reshuffle, Brigadier Abdullah Dogar has recently been appointed as defence attache (DA) in Washington, one of the militarys most crucial postings abroad. He has replaced Major-General Nazir Butt who was promoted last year. Major-General Butt reported to have played a major role in highlighting and pursuing the alleged Memogate scandal during his appointment as Pakistans DA in Washington.
ISLAMABAD A reshuffle within militarys top hierarchy is on the cards with outgoing spymaster Lieutenant-General Ahmed Shuja Pasha may head the Strategic Planning Division (SPD), the top tactical body that oversees Pakistans nuclear programme, after his retirement on March 18.
According to available information, a total of six three-star generals (lieutenant-generals) will retire this year. Apart from the incumbent Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief, Lt-Gen Tanvir Tahir is the second three-star general scheduled to retire. Tahir is currently performing duties as Inspector General (IG) Communication and Information Technology (COMM and IT).
It is reliably learnt that SPD DG Lt-Gen (r) Khalid Kidwai will most likely be assigned the job of National Engineering and Scientific Commission (Nescom) chairman, in case Lt-Gen Pasha replaces him. The Nescom, being Pakistans another key strategic body, is largely involved in the countrys strategic and defence build-up. The incumbent chairman of Nescom, Irfan Burney, is expected to get another important defence-related assignment under the umbrella of National Command Authority (NCA), the supervisory body for SPD, Nescom and National Defence Complex (NDC). Being a scientific strategic body, the Nescom has the successful accomplishment of some projects to its credit, like Babur (a cruise missile of Hatf series) and Burraq, the laser-guided missile-carrier vehicle.
Another important reorganisation in Armys top hierarchy is expected in November following the retirement of Multan Corps Commander Lt-Gen Shafqaat Ahmed. Reportedly, he would be replaced by Lt-Gen Arshad Waheed, the Chief of General Staff (CGS) or Principal Staff Officer (PSO) at General Headquarters (GHQ). Lt-Gen Arshad, it is further learnt, is likely to get the aforesaid field slot since the elevation of a three-star lieutenant-general to four-star full-scale general rank requires the former to have served as PSO in an addition to have commanded a field post. Lt-Gen Arshad, owing to his professional standing, is deemed as strong candidate within the military circles for further promotion. Following his expected engagement in a field posting, the incumbent Vice Chief of General Staff (DCGS) Lt-Gen Nasir Janjua may be elevated as CGS. Normally, a two-star general (major general) is appointed as VCGS while Lt-Gen Janjua is reportedly performing duties at the aforesaid slot for the time being till he gets an assignment normally handed to a three-star general.
In addition, Deputy Chairman Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) Lt-Gen Sardar Mehmood Ali is retiring next month, while Lt-Gen Ayaz Saleem Rana, the chief of Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), would reach the age of superannuation in October this year. Another three-star general scheduled to retire is National Defence University (NDU) President Lt-Gen Agha Muhammad Umer Farooq.
In another important reshuffle, Brigadier Abdullah Dogar has recently been appointed as defence attache (DA) in Washington, one of the militarys most crucial postings abroad. He has replaced Major-General Nazir Butt who was promoted last year. Major-General Butt reported to have played a major role in highlighting and pursuing the alleged Memogate scandal during his appointment as Pakistans DA in Washington.
