Pakistani PM approves appointments for top military, civilian officials

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday approved appointments of the country's top military, civilian brass, said an official press release. According to the press release, Lt General Raheel Sharif was appointed as Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and Gen. Rashid Mehmood as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee by the President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain on the advice of the PM. The new Army Chief will take charge from the outgoing Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Friday, November 29 at a ceremony at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi city, said the press release. General Raheel Sharif was serving as Inspector General for Training and Evaluation of Pakistan Army, while General Rashid Mehmoud was serving as the Chief of General Staff. The new COAS is the younger brother of Nishan-i-Haider (the highest military award for a martyr in Pakistan army) recipient Major Shabbir Sharif. Both the appointed military officials met the PM on Wednesday where the premier conveyed them the decision. Meanwhile, the President on Wednesday approved the appointment of Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan as recommended by the PM, said officials. An official notification is still pending in this regard and is expected to be issued in a couple of days. Jillani will take over on Dec 12 from Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry after he retires following an eight-year tenure. Tassaduq Hussain Jillani is currently serving as the acting Chief Election Commissioner and the oath-taking ceremony is expected to be held on the morning of Dec 12 at the Presidency in the federal capital Islamabad. Moreover, Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif has been given the additional portfolio of Minister of Defense, said an official press release. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, the premier has assigned Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid, an additional charge as Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights.